classic, fantasy
Basil is an artist who has befriended an exceptionally attractive 20-year old Dorian, his new model and muse. Basil introduces Dorian to his old school friend, Lord Henry, who proceeds to make an experiment of Dorian through corruption of thought. As Basil completes his finest work—a perfect painting of Dorian—Lord Henry implores Dorian to appreciate his youth while he has it. He tells him to live life to the fullest now while the world is open to him. Taking this message to heart, Dorian makes a wish for this amazing painting to age and grow ugly in Dorian’s place so that he may keep his youthful, pure appearance.
Dorian is naïve and pampered. He lacks worldly experience and is ripe for Lord Henry to plant thoughts and ideas into his head. Due to his good looks, life has always been easy for him as people have bent to his every wish to gain his favor. His appearance has gotten him anything—favors, the benefit of the doubt, material items, and acts of service. Henry pushes Dorian to live life not just through experiences but to really feel everything deep in his soul. Henry doesn’t care how his suggested philosophies affect Dorian or others.
These three privileged young men all hate women and are
uncaring for anyone other than themselves--this is typical of their time and
station. Basil’s honesty and talent are commendable but I’m not sure the other
two have any truly good qualities. Dorian ends up becoming rude, paranoid, materialistic,
predatory, unremorseful, and even more selfish.
There was a truly tedious section in The Picture of Dorian Gray describing
all the various things Dorian experienced in his philosophical, hedonistic
journey. It was basically a chapter’s long, never-ending list. For example, it wasn’t enough
for Oscar Wilde to explain that shiny things captured Dorian’s attention for a
few years—he literally inventoried all of the items and stories Dorian
collected about gemstones. UGH. I thought it would never end!
In the end, the novel ends the only way it can—with tragedy. No one is better off or enlightened. I suppose the moral is that if you become ashamed of the way you live your life, it is no life. As is the case with almost every novel that was written before I was born, I really didn’t love it. I do appreciate that this novel was somewhat autobiographical for Wilde and that he faced real scrutiny and unfair treatment as a gay man. But I also just didn't really enjoy the book.
The audiobook narrator was Paul Lincoln. He did a really good job with his decent vocal repertoire and excellent vocal acting. He even made the never-ending description list not seem stale. I’ll give him an A.
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