EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

Hello all - starting up discussions for the FEBRUARY 2018 BOTMs. This discussion is for the group's poll selection for the CLASSICS category: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

This discussion will be SPOILER-FREE. If you have already finished the book and want to discuss, hop on over to the spoiler-filled discussion HERE .

Happy reading!
Kasey

I started reading this last night. I got 7 pages in and already felt like this is a book I'm going to have to/want to read twice: first to just enjoy the story, again to think of all of the different meanings behind everything! I'm really intrigued so far.

This is one of my favourite books, I love the way Oscar Wilde writes. Enjoy! :)

I read this in January. Wish I’d waited to read it with this group, but would like to join in the discussions anyway. It isn’t my usual sort of book - but I loved it!

Ooh, I loved this book! This was one of the only books I was assigned to read in highschool that I actually read (I had this weird thing about only reading books that I wasn't getting graded on-- not the soundest strategy :P). It was definitely very weird at parts, but man, Oscar Wilde and Flannery O'Conor are my absolute favorite authors in terms of quotes, there are so many good ones, he's a brilliant writer.

This is one of the best classics ever. I re-read it for another group in January and it was as amazing as I remembered. 🙂 I am sure everyone will love it, such a great quotes from Oscar Wilde in it.

I do like this book. I find it a bit creepy. I remember I couldn't read it alone at night.

Its not scary but for some reason it made me anxious.

I got it today at the library. I hope to start reading it soon, my English teacher recommended it while I was in high school and I've always been eager to try reading it!

I think I read this decades ago, but I'm def. looking forward to reading it together with others. I've ordered an annotated edition, but if it doesn't come soon I'll just read it online.

Has anyone else read anything else by Wilde? I love his children's stories, and The Importance Of Being Earnest.

Cheryl wrote: "I think I read this decades ago, but I'm def. looking forward to reading it together with others. I've ordered an annotated edition, but if it doesn't come soon I'll just read it online.

Has anyon..."

I loved the importance of being Ernest. Was one of the few books in high school that I read for class that I actually liked

I've read this book when I was 15 but I don't remember finishing it, so I've been waiting to read it with the group since last year. And now, finally, the day has come.
See you on the spoilers side.

Help! A while ago someone posted that this book is free on audio, but I did not write down where. Does anyone know? My library doe not have it on audio, and I'm afraid I'll never actually make it through the book. Thanks!

Shelley wrote: "Help! A while ago someone posted that this book is free on audio, but I did not write down where. Does anyone know? My library doe not have it on audio, and I'm afraid I'll never actually make it t..."

Have you tried LibriVox? Its completely free and has tons of old classics.

Now here's my comment:
I've never read anything by Oscar Wilde, that being said I read the bio on goodreads stating he was later on in life arrested for being gay, which was pretty common back in the day. As sad as that is, what I want to know is if people were just DUMB for not catching on. I mean, I just finished chapter 2 and it was screaming at me. Are all his book this way, or was this the only book he toed the line?
I'm wondering because just yesterday I was talking to someone about how people were upset that Dumbledore from HP was never stated as gay in the books. To them, JK's statement came as a surprise, but for me it was really obvious. There were tons of subtle remarks in the last HP book that seemed to only make sense if Dumbles was gay, and so it came as no surprise when I learned it was confirmed.

Kaseadillla wrote: "Daniela wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Help! A while ago someone posted that this book is free on audio, but I did not write down where. Does anyone know? My library doe not have it on audio, and I'm afra..."

Thank you! XD

My exact quote when reading the first few chapters “This is gay af and I love it!” It’s incredibly obvious to us in the modern day but I wonder if it had been as obvious back then.

Jessi wrote: "My exact quote when reading the first few chapters “This is gay af and I love it!” It’s incredibly obvious to us in the modern day but I wonder if it had been as obvious back then."

That's what I was thinking as well. In today's society, a homophobe will freak out over the smallest things. Calling someone of their own sex attractive will automatically get a 'no homo' attached at the end. Its odd to think that this book could have been published in a time when it was outright dangerous to be outed.
One of the characters says during those first few chapters that he can't let go of a certain portrait because he put to much of himself in it, and all I could think was so did you, Oscar Wilde.

Has anyone gotten to the part where you want to strangle Lord whatever ?
I've been there a while now....

Daniela wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Help! A while ago someone posted that this book is free on audio, but I did not write down where. Does anyone know? My library doe not have it on audio, and I'm afraid I'll never ac..."

Thank you! I think that is it, and I found several versions on it. Yea!

There seem to be at least a couple different versions of this book. If you are unfamiliar with the author and/or book, you may want to do a quick bit of research to decide which version to read.

Jess wrote: "My exact quote when reading the first few chapters “This is gay af and I love it!” It’s incredibly obvious to us in the modern day but I wonder if it had been as obvious back then."

I’ve been reading a lot of history lately, and strong/affectionate male friendship was actually super common during this period. Especially with politicians or other professions that required travel - many men even shared beds to reduce the cost of rent. So what we perceive as being gay or even risky to publish was probably commonly accepted during this timeframe.

Enter the “The More You Know” gif here.

I agree Alex. We need to keep the perspective of the time the book was written.



Alex wrote: "Jess wrote: "My exact quote when reading the first few chapters “This is gay af and I love it!” It’s incredibly obvious to us in the modern day but I wonder if it had been as obvious back then."

I..."

I'm going to be reading The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray, but probably only skimming all the introductions and appendices included.

Shelley wrote: "Help! A while ago someone posted that this book is free on audio, but I did not write down where. Does anyone know? My library doe not have it on audio, and I'm afraid I'll never actually make it t..."

Looks like Overdrive has it https://www.overdrive.com/

Interesting. I did not find it there, but I have a free subscription through my library. I did find several different versions of it on Librivox, thought. So, I'm good to go.

Jody wrote: "Shelley wrote: "Help! A while ago someone posted that this book is free on audio, but I did not write down where. Does anyone know? My library doe not have it on audio, and I'm afraid I'll never ac..."

I'm excited to finally read something by Oscar Wilde. I've enjoyed many quotes by him over the years. However, based on the summary of this book, I'm not sure this should have been the first of his books that I read. It does sound like something I would have enjoyed in college, but now I may find it just a sad commentary on society. We'll see!

Shelley wrote: "It does sound like something I would have enjoyed in college, but now I may find it just a sad commentary on society. We'll see!"

I'm about halfway through the book and I was ambivalent about reading it since I basically knew the story. However, the book is an absolute joy to read (sad commentary on society notwithstanding, and I've never read any Oscar Wilde either). I think you'll actually really enjoy it, Shelley, if only for the writing style and how the commentary is delivered by the characters.

I agree, Chad! I also knew the story and had seen the movie. With the only difference that I have read other works by Wilde, I couldn't agree more with you! A joy to read, the man is not considered a great writer for no reason!

Cheryl wrote: "I'm going to be reading The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray, ...."

Cheryl, I'm reading a translation into Portuguese, but the introduction explains it is from the text established by Nicholas Frankel, so I guess it is the same you're reading.

And I didn't know about this restored edition after 120 years, so thanks for bringing it to attention!

I'm still reading the introductions. It's fascinating to learn how much was changed, over more than one publication, since Wilde's original manuscript was sent to 'Lippincotts', an American literary magazine. It was originally shorter and more homoerotic, at thirteen chapters. The twenty-chapter editions are Wilde's attempt to make it more palatable for sale as a novel, iiuc.

I've gotten through the first two chapters. (I've never read this book before although I've wanted to.) Wilde is certainly a gifted writer - I cannot deny that. However, I really do not like any of the three main characters so far. I sympathize with Basil to an extent but I cannot stand Lord Henry or Dorian. (I wonder how much of that dislike is from personal experience with people similar to them...) So far it's turning into one of those books that's executed so well but I hate the content on a weirdly deep level - not sure if that makes any sense...

I am really intrigued though and will continue. I'm just prepared for the inevitable feeling of being super creeped out. I'll just have to see how I feel when I get to the end. Can't wait to hop over the spoiler thread when I'm done.

Has anyone else noticed characters don’t just sit in this book? They only fling themselves into chairs and couches.

I’m only halfway through, but I’m curious why people dislike Lord Henry so much. I don’t love the guy, but some readers seem to really hate him. Why?

Alex wrote: "Has anyone else noticed characters don’t just sit in this book? They only fling themselves into chairs and couches."

LOL they totally do! And everything is "tremulous."

Finished yesterday. Great read!

Alex wrote: "Has anyone else noticed characters don’t just sit in this book? They only fling themselves into chairs and couches."

I imagine Wilde had a flair for dramatics. He was a thespian after all.

Alex wrote: "I’m only halfway through, but I’m curious why people dislike Lord Henry so much. I don’t love the guy, but some readers seem to really hate him. Why?"

I hate him, and I can't exactly explain it well. Its just every time he says somethings, its either to provoke or alarm. He enjoys seeing the pains of others, not caring who he hurts or what his values do to others. (view spoiler)[The first instance was his deliberate snide to Basil, who had pleaded with him to understand his 'weakness'. Instead he purposefully charmed away Dorian. And when Dorian had tried to feel more human, to feel remorse for his actions, Henry dashed those feeling away because he wanted to go to the theater.
The biggest example was when Henry's inner monologue said he found enjoyment in watching Dorian become more and more narcissistic, and despite what he must have known/suspected of his character, he kept telling Dorian NOT to change for the better.
To me, he was a man who was too cowardly to do evil things, and so he because the 'devil' who insinuated things, and degraded other's minds. He lived vicariously through Dorian, and did not care what that meant for Dorian himself. (hide spoiler)]

Hmmm... maybe this questions is better off in the spoiler section...

I read this awhile ago.
I don't remember specifics, but I remember that I did not care for it much.

Sarah wrote: "I read this awhile ago.
I don't remember specifics, but I remember that I did not care for it much."

It's hard to enjoy without guidance or a reading 'buddy.' Or at least a specific interest in some of the themes. I didn't like it the first time I read it, decades ago, but I kept thinking about it, vowing to try again... and this time I both enjoyed it very much and was impressed.

There's lots of good information & discussion in the Spoilers thread.

I had such momentum until I got to chapter 11... it talked so much about tapestries and random historic figures that I got so bored I had to put it down. Ugh. Restarting

Kasey, go ahead, finish and go to the other thread. You'll like it. Even chapter 11 is great when we get to know it all. :-)

Just got the audio book from my library, looking forward to getting started

Cheryl wrote: "I think I read this decades ago, but I'm def. looking forward to reading it together with others. I've ordered an annotated edition, but if it doesn't come soon I'll just read it online.

Has anyon..."
I've read The Importance of Being Earnest and his children's work too, which I loved. Not sure how I fee about Dorian Gray

Megan wrote: "Just got the audio book from my library, looking forward to getting started"

beautifully written, witty, insightful, sometimes cynical and ironic. I find the obsession with youth hard to take, and Dorian Gray's complete gullibility with regards to Lord Henry makes me want to smack something. I'm not looking forward Dorian's transformation. Lord Henry's bound to convince him to do something stupid and morally reprehensible.

New to the group & choosing to read this book this book for the month as I've always wanted to read something by Oscar Wilde

I am new here too. And I bought that book about 2 years ago when I was on vacation in Dublin. But I just never read it until now. So I will start to read it now.

This is my first Oscar Wilde book too. I’m glad to hear such positive reviews!

I have had my eye on this book since I heard about it in high school. I have a few books to finish first but I’m definitely excited to read this one this month!

I’m so excited for this! My current plan is to read it on Serial Reader and to read at a faster pace as desired. It’s my first Wilde, too!

Thanks Catherine, I’ll make sure it’s on my list!

I happened to read this just 2 or 3 weeks ago, so I'm excited to join the discussion too! :)

Read an unexpurgated edition if you can. I loved this: The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray, in part because of fascinating additional material.