Shreela
Written on Nov 30, 2022
"SparkNotes Literature Guides" is an invaluable series tackling some of the most important novels ever written and studied. Created by Harvard students for students everywhere, these indispensable study aids are thorough and informative. They feature explanations of key themes, motifs, and symbols, detailed analyses of major characters and important quotes, plot summaries and analysis, an exploration of historical context, plus key facts and potential essay topics - everything a student needs to be thoroughly prepared!
- ISBN10 141140730X
- ISBN13 9781411407305
- Publish Date 1 June 2008
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 18 February 2010
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Spark Notes
- Format Paperback
- Pages 76
- Language English
Reviews
thepunktheory
Written on Mar 9, 2016
Oscar Wilde's only novel is a classic. Although I didn't like it as much as many of his other works it is still an interesting story.
But when I watched the movie I was beyond disappointed.
First of all: they changed huge chunks of the story. While I understand that the alterations in Dorian's relationship with Sibyl Vane make it easier to grasp (as some parts of the book may seem a little strange, especially from today's point of view), I have no idea why they had to introduce a new character(Lord Henry Wotton's daughter) who becomes romantically entangled. This simply annoyed me. It was completely unnecessary, didn't add anything to the film. On the contrary: it didn't match the vibe and also somehow made Dorian's transition by far shallower. I won't even begin talking about the dreadful ending of the movie. I despise it.
Besides the story being completely changed, I also wasn't too fond of the casting choices. Colin Firth wasn't the right match for Henry Wotton. He makes the character so very different from the book. But who I really couldn't deal with is Rebecca Hall. She plays Wotton's daughter and is supposed to be 18 years old. No way. In 2009 she was already 27 years old and precisely looks like that. Basically the entire plotline with her that was for some reason added annoyed the shit out of me as it took so much depth form the story.
The movie keeps dragging on, making you wish it was over after the first ten minutes. Even the opening scene was boring. I have no clue why they didn't start the way it was in the book. In Basil Hallward's studio while he's painting Dorian. It would have been a wonderful opening for the film, intriguing from the first moment on.
Well, all I can say about the 2009 adaptation is that it's downright awful. I'm sure Oscar Wilde is rotating in his grave because of what they did to his novel.
celinenyx
Written on Apr 26, 2013
Unspoiled and pure Dorian Gray becomes acquainted with Lord Henry through painter Basil Hallward. The Picture of Dorian Gray describes Dorian's journey into the darkest side of his soul under the influence of Lord Henry.
I knew the story of The Picture of Dorian Gray vaguely, but the book turned out to be completely different from what I was expecting. Instead of the picture, that shows the ageing and degradation of Dorian, the thoughts and feelings of Dorian and conversations with Lord Henry are the focus of the story.
For me the most interesting character was Lord Henry. He is intentionally cross and incorrect, and has amazingly crooked logic that makes sense within itself. His dialogue shows that Mr Wilde put a lot of thought in this book, and has created a whole system of thought that's corrupt and damaging as hell. It could be a bit much at times though, and there is very little action going on, just dialogue.
Basil, the painter, was my favourite character. He is the easiest to relate too and seems to be the most normal person in the book. It's also interesting that he's pretty much the only main character that is not part of London's high society. I very much enjoyed the parts he was in, and to see Dorian through his eyes.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is an amazingly written book that consists mostly of dialogue, rhetoric and descriptions. Seekers of action won't find it here - people that like to think of issues and morals will find some very interesting food for thought in this book.