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The Picture of Dorian Gray

By Oscar Wilde
Penguin Classics
Series: Penguin Clothbound Classics
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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, written by Oscar Wilde, explores the story of a young and handsome man named Dorian Gray, who becomes the subject of a painted portrait. Influenced by Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian indulges in a hedonistic lifestyle, remaining youthful while the portrait ages and bears the physical marks of his corruption. It's a thought-provoking tale about vanity, morality, and the consequences of pursuing eternal youth and beauty.
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy exploring themes of vanity, morality, and the consequences of indulgence. Oscar Wilde's masterful prose and wit provide a captivating tale of a man whose portrait ages in his place, examining the dark side of a life devoted to pleasure and beauty.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

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.

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.

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

This beautifully designed, clothbound edition is part of Penguin's hardback Clothbound Classics series, crafted by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith. These delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design.

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 succès 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.

Series: Penguin Clothbound Classics

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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 is widely praised for its compelling exploration of aesthetics, morality, and the nature of beauty. Reviews often highlight Wilde's witty and elegant prose, along with the philosophical depth the novel presents. Some readers appreciate the book's timeless relevance, while others critique the character development or find the narrative unsettling due to its dark themes.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141442464

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 06 November 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Edited by Robert Mighall

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 137.0mm

Height: 205.0mm

Weight: 419g

Pages: 304

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Classic Horror & Ghost Stories Fiction General Fiction Horror & Supernatural Literary Fiction Most Popular Books of All Time Mother's Day Fiction Mother's Day Gifts Oscar Wilde Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: General Fiction Series: Penguin Clothbound Classics

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.

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