LoginThe Picture of Dorian Gray
Moderator
GemLil
16 years, 10 months ago at Jul 11 2:34 - 350125g0 just said, that this book must be added to the top 100 classics in TH's thread. I couldnt agree more, it seems to me that lot of people on here have read it, uunfortunately, there are about a thousand editions, so if anyone has written a review, I wont be able to find it.
I love this book, I'm interested to know who was your favourite character, and if you thought that the love between Basil and Dorian was truely the Master/Apprentice, Man/Boy relationship that Wilde professed it to be, or was it a purely homosexual, romantic relationship? There are no indications that Dorian has any type of physical relationshipw with Basil after all (but it was perfectly illegal at the time).
My favourite character was Lord Henry, by far, a delightfully horrible person, and one of the most quotable characters in history
"I like men with a future and women with a past"
"a man who calls a spade a spade, should be compelled to use one"
If you have written a review on it, please link it here, and I will put a link to them in my own review! (if you dont mind of course).
I love this book, I'm interested to know who was your favourite character, and if you thought that the love between Basil and Dorian was truely the Master/Apprentice, Man/Boy relationship that Wilde professed it to be, or was it a purely homosexual, romantic relationship? There are no indications that Dorian has any type of physical relationshipw with Basil after all (but it was perfectly illegal at the time).
My favourite character was Lord Henry, by far, a delightfully horrible person, and one of the most quotable characters in history
"I like men with a future and women with a past"
"a man who calls a spade a spade, should be compelled to use one"
If you have written a review on it, please link it here, and I will put a link to them in my own review! (if you dont mind of course).
Deleted user
Deleted
16 years, 10 months ago at Jul 11 5:12 - I love Lord Henry. He's so damn quotable. :D
I didn't think Basil and Dorian had some lovin' going on since Basil really didn't seem the type to me. It didn't seem very romantic to me, but what do I know. For all I know there could have been so much subtext (and you know you can't spell buttsex without subtext) going on that it'd be painfully obvious, but I tend to miss obvious things.
As far as reviews on Listal, I haven't written one myself but here are the ones I'm aware of
www.listal.com/viewentry/96287
www.listal.com/viewentry/43016
www.listal.com/viewentry/103804
Since we're on the topic, there's supposedly (another) movie in the works, starring that guy that played Prince Caspian.
www.listal.com/movie/dorian-gray-2009
I didn't think Basil and Dorian had some lovin' going on since Basil really didn't seem the type to me. It didn't seem very romantic to me, but what do I know. For all I know there could have been so much subtext (and you know you can't spell buttsex without subtext) going on that it'd be painfully obvious, but I tend to miss obvious things.
As far as reviews on Listal, I haven't written one myself but here are the ones I'm aware of
www.listal.com/viewentry/96287
www.listal.com/viewentry/43016
www.listal.com/viewentry/103804
Since we're on the topic, there's supposedly (another) movie in the works, starring that guy that played Prince Caspian.
www.listal.com/movie/dorian-gray-2009
Deleted user
Deleted
16 years, 10 months ago at Jul 11 12:19 - I hated the book! ... Some stuff was interesting, and there are a few quotes I've kept with me, but I wouldn't read it again.
And yes... there was tons of buttsex... er, subtext.
And yes... there was tons of buttsex... er, subtext.
Moderator GemLil
16 years, 10 months ago at Jul 11 13:57 - Fair dos Vox, each to their own! I like to think I'm the leading authority on male homoerotic medias, but Im not, Chibi and Dionysian Child beat me I'm afriad.
@ Chibi: I dont know what I think about that movie, he was certainly good looking as Caspian, It wonder if he can pull of being entirely corrupted?! I will be interesting to see a momdern take on the story. They didnt really do it justice with the quick portrayal in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen..although I did love him!! Thanks for those links btw, its so annoying how many editions there are, if anywhere needed merging it was books!
@ Chibi: I dont know what I think about that movie, he was certainly good looking as Caspian, It wonder if he can pull of being entirely corrupted?! I will be interesting to see a momdern take on the story. They didnt really do it justice with the quick portrayal in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen..although I did love him!! Thanks for those links btw, its so annoying how many editions there are, if anywhere needed merging it was books!
Deleted user
Deleted
16 years, 10 months ago at Jul 11 14:03 - if anywhere needed merging it was books!
Indeed... I wonder whatever happened to that.
Dionysian Child
16 years, 10 months ago at Jul 11 15:52 - Their relationship (I believe) was purely one of beauty. Basil was drawn to this light that emitted from Dorian. I often find myself obsessively drawn to people whom I find alluring and can't place why. It’s nothing romantic or sexual just almost a sense of awe.
No book that I've read (apart from maybe Lolita) has had such rich beautiful imagery, and none has so fully explored and dissected the human character, drive, passion, instinct and moral/carnal desires before constructing them into such perfectly placed and balanced characters which wittingly spar off one another throughout the book.
It’s a work of art!
No book that I've read (apart from maybe Lolita) has had such rich beautiful imagery, and none has so fully explored and dissected the human character, drive, passion, instinct and moral/carnal desires before constructing them into such perfectly placed and balanced characters which wittingly spar off one another throughout the book.
It’s a work of art!
Deleted user
Deleted
16 years, 10 months ago at Jul 11 16:28 - I really wish the books could be merged. It would be nice to know what other people have read.
Personally Ben Barnes doesn't fit the image of Dorian I had in my head but maybe it's just the hair throwing me off, I'll have to actually see the movie to make a sound judgement.
But I'm sure Basil had other lovers and Dorian definitely indulged in every single "sin" imaginable.
Personally Ben Barnes doesn't fit the image of Dorian I had in my head but maybe it's just the hair throwing me off, I'll have to actually see the movie to make a sound judgement.
Their relationship (I believe) was purely one of beautyYeah that was the vibe I got too. Does that make Basil like a fly that flies toward the light? :P
But I'm sure Basil had other lovers and Dorian definitely indulged in every single "sin" imaginable.
Dionysian Child
16 years, 10 months ago at Jul 11 16:43 - I can't believe I haven't written a review yet! I think I got intimidated by GemLils efforts :-)
Did anyone else feel like they were rotten of heart by the end of the book too?
I found myself thinking Dorians existence a very tempting and attractive one... dispite his demise and the conversations prior to it regarding morality.
I think Mr Caspian definately has good potential for the role :-)
Did anyone else feel like they were rotten of heart by the end of the book too?
I found myself thinking Dorians existence a very tempting and attractive one... dispite his demise and the conversations prior to it regarding morality.
I think Mr Caspian definately has good potential for the role :-)
Deleted user
Deleted
16 years, 10 months ago at Jul 12 7:21 - It's certainly one of my favourites and one that I wish to read again if only I could find the time...
I think Wilde gave characteristics of himself to each of the three characters, Lord Henry, Basil and Dorian. Being that Wilde led a controversial life himself, especially in those times, the characters are a reflection of himself. In fact, in one of Wilde's letters he says this:
"Basil Hallward is what I think I am; Lord Henry what the world thinks me; Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps."
I'd like to think that I at least passively accept some of the hedonistic ideals presented by Lord Henry/played out by Dorian, but as the book shows us in the end, too much of a good thing (or bad thing, depending on who you ask...) can become your undoing. ;)
Anyway, it's beautifully written, and the words Wilde uses to paint the story (no pun intended) make it an image-driven, imaginative story that speaks volumes about Wilde's own wit and wisdom, especially with it being his first and only novel.
Sadly, I have yet to see any kind of biographical film about him. :/
I think Wilde gave characteristics of himself to each of the three characters, Lord Henry, Basil and Dorian. Being that Wilde led a controversial life himself, especially in those times, the characters are a reflection of himself. In fact, in one of Wilde's letters he says this:
"Basil Hallward is what I think I am; Lord Henry what the world thinks me; Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps."
I'd like to think that I at least passively accept some of the hedonistic ideals presented by Lord Henry/played out by Dorian, but as the book shows us in the end, too much of a good thing (or bad thing, depending on who you ask...) can become your undoing. ;)
Anyway, it's beautifully written, and the words Wilde uses to paint the story (no pun intended) make it an image-driven, imaginative story that speaks volumes about Wilde's own wit and wisdom, especially with it being his first and only novel.
Sadly, I have yet to see any kind of biographical film about him. :/