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The Picture of Dorian Gray

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde explores the life of a young, handsome man named Dorian Gray, who desires eternal youth. Influenced by a hedonistic friend and captivated by his own portrait, Dorian’s pursuit of pleasure leads him into a life of moral decadence. As he remains outwardly unchanged, his true nature is mysteriously reflected in his portrait, capturing the consequences of his choices.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this classic if you are intrigued by themes of beauty, vanity, and morality woven into a compelling narrative. Oscar Wilde's novel delves into the consequences of living a life devoted to hedonism and the dangers of appearance over substance, offering both wit and philosophical depth. If you appreciate a captivating story paired with eloquent prose, this book is likely to appeal to you.

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Enthralled by Dorian Gray' own exquisite portrait, he exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty. Influenced by his friend Lord Henry Wotton, he is drawn into a corrupt double life; indulging his desires in secret while remaining a gentleman in the eyes of polite society. Only his portrait bears the traces of his decadence.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Enthralled by his own exquisite portrait, Dorian Gray exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty. Influenced by his friend, Lord Henry Wotton, he is drawn into a corrupt double life; indulging his desires in secret while remaining a gentleman in the eyes of polite society. Only his portrait bears the traces of his decadence.

The novel was a succes de scandale and the book was later used as evidence against Wilde at the Old Bailey in 1895. It has lost none of its power to fascinate and disturb.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is widely praised for its exploration of themes such as vanity, moral corruption, and the nature of beauty. Readers often highlight Wilde's sharp wit and elegant prose, appreciating the novel's complex characters and philosophical undertones. While some may find its moral implications troubling, many regard it as a timeless masterpiece that offers a critical reflection on society and human nature.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141439570

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 January 2003

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Edited by Robert Mighall
  • Introduction by Robert Mighall
  • Edited by Robert Mighall

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 226g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Born in Ireland, Wilde (1854-1900) was educated in Dublin and Oxford and became the leading exponent of aestheticism. His work includes plays, a novel, poetry and criticism. Imprisoned for homosexual acts, he died after his release in exile in Paris. Robert Mighall has written on Gothic fiction and is the editor of Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde for Penguin Classics. Peter Ackroyd is a best-selling writer whose recent work includes biographies on Dickens and Blake.

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