Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a Gothic and philosophical novel by Oscar Wilde, first published complete in the July 1890 issue of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine. Fearing the story was indecent, the magazine's editor deleted roughly five hundred words before publication without Wilde's knowledge. Despite that censorship, The Picture of Dorian Gray offended the moral sensibilities of British book reviewers, some of whom said that Oscar Wilde merited prosecution for violating the laws guarding public morality. In response, Wilde aggressively defended his novel and art in correspondence with the British press, although he personally made excisions of some of the most controversial material when revising and lengthening the story for book publication the following year.

Sounds scandalous! Enjoy!!

I started listening to it. So far nothing scandalous (but I don't know what was considered scandalous back then), but two self loving guys where I would love to take one and hit the other over the head with.
self righteous, non working upper class is infuriating.

I read this and don't remember anything scandalous by our standards, except maybe Gray's lack of any moral decency and his overwhelmingly selfish behaviour.

Read this twice - first time the extended version and second time the original. And I agree with Rosemarie. I cannot recall anything scandalous that could have been used against him. But I've heard passages of this book were quoted at his trial.

I have read this previously, but this will serve as a nice reminder.
If you can, try the movie version.

I saw a stage version a couple of years ago, which generally remained faithful to the plot and helped refresh my memory too.
I enjoyed both the book and the play.

I've read it 4 or 5 times, not quite sure. My oldest son adores this book, as it is his favourite.

Here is a very good article you may like.

https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victo...

I very much enjoy a good gothic novel. I watched TNT’s “The Librarians” tv show a couple years ago, and the show had one or two characters from this book make appearances. I was already interested in reading it, and that only peaked my interest. I will work hard to fit this in for March.

One of my favourite comics.

Here is the thread when we read it in 2016:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Cute cartoon, Jazzy. Of course, if it was a cat the portrait would stay the same. 😼

I love this book. I have read it twice before. But I will reread to discuss with you all.

I had forgotten just how witty Oscar Wilde is. Almost done with my reread and looking forward to discussion.

I've noticed the name "Gautier" alluded to a couple of times.
This is Theophile Gautier, poet, writer, among other talents.
I read, last year, his novel "Mademoiselle de Maupin".
Very interesting. Could have been used as the basis of "Victor/Victoria".

i literally just finished reading this!

Awesome! Did you like it?

In jumping in late for this one as I wasn’t sure I’d squeeze it in, but I’ll give it a go :)

Great! I hope you like it, Georgina.

Finished. Always delightful horror as presented in the Victorian era.

Glad you enjoyed it!!

I read this last month and kept coming back here to see if there was any discussion about it but it looks like there won't be, unfortunately. I did read the thread from 2016 and that was interesting.

I thought I had read this book before but I think perhaps I have only seen the movie because I didn't remember anything about the book Dorian became obsessed with and the massive collection of art he put together. That collection leads to my practical question. Where did Dorian get the money to travel the world and purchase all of the exotica detailed so completely and monotonously? At one point, early on when he was decorating his first apartment, he had not yet submitted a bill to his guardian for a comb and brush set he had purchased because he seemed afraid that it was too expensive. How he then managed to afford the travels and purchases and how the two houses he owned could possibly have exhibited the massive and priceless collection bothered me. Maybe I missed something about an unexpected inheritance? I can't imagine that he traded in immoral behavior for such rare and expensive items. But I'm probably nit-picking in that sense.

There was a brief mention of "almost taking the first position he was offered" when he finished school. Does that mean he took another better paying position or did that have anything to do with work at all? And if he was gone for months at a time how could he have held down a job.

Otherwise I really liked the book. I am all about flowery language and impossible conversation so this is right up my alley.

I went to the Camp exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last year in NYC and the dandy lifestyle was a huge part of the exhibit, including a lot about Oscar Wilde's lifestyle. It was a great exhibit! Really well laid out and so bright and vibrant.

I'm glad you found the 2016 thread, Karen. That was when I read the book.

I still hope to get to read this. I just got delayed by life.

I did finish this but forgot to come back here, I don’t know where he got his money from, if it was mentioned it certainly didn’t stick in my head.
This wasn’t my favourite book. Maybe a controversial opinion but I just didn’t find any of the characters engaging or likeable so wasn’t too worried about what became of them. The whole idea was brilliant, but it just lacked something for me.