On My Shelf discussion

Discussion questions coming soon! Feel free to post your own here, too. Or just general thoughts/reactions/opinions/theories/crack ships/whatever.

GENERAL RULE OF THUMB FOR SPOILERS: Assume people are reading about 1/4 of the book every week of October. If you’ve read further than that, tag any spoilers.

I've only read the introduction with Oscar Wilde's life story, and honestly, I would love to read a full length novel about that!

Now I'm going to start the actual story of Dorian Gray!

Aloha,

I am going to start reading this book later today. Mahalo!

Warm Regards,
RM
🤙🇺🇸

Will start asap! I found it free on kindle a while back. Cheers, Jan

Thanks so much for being on top of this Ruth! I've been kind of absent because I started my new job on Friday, but I went to the library and picked up the booked today. I cannot wait to start it! I think I will have a chance to begin reading on Monday. I was surprised at how short it is.

i am on chapter 16 now and loving it

i haven't gotten it yet. hope to soon

Audrey wrote: "Thanks so much for being on top of this Ruth! I've been kind of absent because I started my new job on Friday, but I went to the library and picked up the booked today. I cannot wait to start it! I..."

That is awesome!! Congratulations on your new job! I just started one too! We should probably take our time with this book then, which is perfect for the fall weather.

Page 35 so far! I am loving the interactions between the guys.

(view spoiler)[ So basically Chapter 1 & 2:

Basil: "Dorian is a precious ray of sunshine, so don't you dare corrupt him, got it?"
Harry: "Got it."
one or two hours later
Dorian: sobbing over the divan and willing to sell his soul to keep his beauty
Basil: staring daggers at Harry "What did I just say-" (hide spoiler)]

Only read chapter 1 so far but found it interesting. Cannot wait to meet Dorian.

I downloaded it off iTunes; it was either free or very cheap.

Discussion question one: What are your thoughts on Wilde’s preface? What was your initial reaction? Did your opinion change as you thought about it more or as you read the rest of the book?

2: Three different versions of this novel were published with assorted censoring due to the homoerotic subtext of the work. What importance does the nature of Dorian and Basil’s relationship have on the story as a whole? Is it important?

Answer 1: I completely agreed with Oscar's belief to create art for the sake of art and nothing more, even though I agree with creating art for other reasons too, I see his point, and found it really encouraging for creating my own art too!

Answer 2: Whaddiya mean, "assorted censoring"? How am I supposed to get Oscar's point if someone cut it up? Mine's the Barns & Noble Classic. I'll have to see what version that one is. Does anyone else know what version they have?

And does anyone else think that pages 91-93 were (view spoiler)[ completely out of character for Dorian? He's such a sweetheart, I couldn't believe the words he was saying were coming from his mouth! I blame Harry. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Me on Page 94:

DORIAN BURN THE PICTURE WHILE YOU STILL CAN BURN IT NOW (hide spoiler)]

Lawona wrote: "Only read chapter 1 so far but found it interesting. Cannot wait to meet Dorian."

I think Wilde did that on purpose too! Made his readers wait to meet Dorian during chapter one

i am loving this book now even more

Hi Gabi From what I understand, if you have a fancy Preface at the start of the book about "art for art's sake" you have the revised version. Wilde added that in to defend his book after it was viciously attacked and criticized.

I think also the original had a chapter length of only 13, while the revised contains 20.

The revised (censored) version was published by Ward, Lock & Co. Ltd., London, in 1891.

Please correct me if I am wrong folks!

I've already read the book (kindle one) but I did like it! It was also sad to me when I finished it too.

Glad others seem to like it too. I remember being glued to it..

i am done with this book i listen to it on audiobook and it was scarey

These are great questions Ruth!
Question one: I had to re-read each line of the preface so many times to fully understand the meaning. I have not had to think so hard in a long time. Lol. That being said, it makes a big statement about the subject matter of the whole book, so I am excited to think about this more in context as I read on.

I have it on audio book from Scribd and I honestly am having trouble getting into it, maybe because it’s an audio book?

Nicole wrote: "I have it on audio book from Scribd and I honestly am having trouble getting into it, maybe because it’s an audio book?"

I tried to listen to the audio last year and couldn't get into it. I have since read the e-book and liked it.

Okay maybe I will try the regular ebook

Aloha,

I am behind again. Normally, I can read a book faster. I hope to have this book done by the this weekend too.

Be well,
Alwaysdaddygirl
🤗🇺🇸

I read the first couple pages. But I suppose that’s not much lol! 😂 I really am behind but maybe being in the discussion will motivate me to pick it up.

Hello Alwaysdaddygirl. Hope all is well :) hugs!

Oscar Wilde said, “There is no such thing as a moral or immoral book; books are well-written or badly written.” I wonder what he would have thought of Lolita!

For those having a hard time getting into it, I did as well! It took me two weeks to get through the first 1/4, but yesterday I read 85% and I finished this morning. I read it on my kindle. The edition included some illustrations which were interesting.
I’m glad I finished I enjoyed it in the end. I’m enjoying reading through others’ comments and reactions.

Mahalo guys for your kind words of support! If I may🤗🇺🇸

I'm almost done with a BR so I can get back to this one! I'm excited because I think page 100 is when stuff starts getting good!

Audrey wrote: "These are great questions Ruth!
Question one: I had to re-read each line of the preface so many times to fully understand the meaning. I have not had to think so hard in a long time. Lol. That bein..."

I'm probably going to reread the preface too! I only understood the basis of what it was getting at, but I'd rather know all of it.

Also, Ean, thank you for helping me figure out which version I have! I'm glad I have the one with a preface, and it also has a picture of Oscar Wilde in it!

I am having a hard time getting into this as well. I know the story and it is a fascinating premise. It may be Wilde's writing, or my lack of understanding. It's embarrassing because I'm an avid reader and this is a classic I haven't read the whole way through yet. I'm on page 35. Should I continue?

Peggy wrote: "I am having a hard time getting into this as well. I know the story and it is a fascinating premise. It may be Wilde's writing, or my lack of understanding. It's embarrassing because I'm an avid re..."

I hear things amp up after page 100, so I would get to there and then decide! I know that after I saw the first signs of that portrait acting up, I was hooked. And no need to be embarrassed: some books click with readers, and some don't!

I too am finding the opening to be drawn out and dull. I’ve only made it to page 35... but I want to persevere.
The penguin classic copy (print) that I have has the preface but also an early introduction and a couple essays or explanations of the book are included at the end. Hopefully I wont need them to explain too much. lol!
I suppose it also hopes I know the premise of the story. I’m glad to hear from others it gets better!!

I think because Wilde was trying to make a point with his novel with "art for art's sake", that's why the first 100 pages are sooooo drawn out. It probably could have been shorten by half or even more.

I just reached the part where Dorian (view spoiler)[ completely flew off the rails and went full-on psycho!!! My poor Dorian! My poor Basil!! (hide spoiler)] Was anyone else upset by page 163? Because I was. And will be for a long, long time.