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A review by bybrookenelson
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
5.0
Watch my YouTube review here!
Now this is a classic that instantly makes me understand why it is a classic. I am absolutely in love with this story, from start to finish. There is so much to unpack and so much relevance to modern life that I could truly read this book again right now, just to absorb a little more of its magic.
One of my favorite parts of The Picture of Dorian Gray is that it delves into some of people’s deepest fears in such a clever way. Life, death, beauty, aging, and morality are prevalent themes that are explored in a way that lends the reader inspiration to think about them in their own lives. It’s the kind of story that could very easily send a person spiraling into an existential crisis, but at the end, it left me feeling more positive about the future.
As a young woman, I also felt that the way the topic of societal beauty standards was woven into the story was perfect and really shone a light on how hugely important a topic it is and has been throughout history–even over a hundred years ago when this book was first published.
I love that nearly all of the main themes around which this book revolves are relevant in today’s world. Pieces of literature written a hundred, or even just a dozen, years ago, can often fall into the trap of feeling too quickly outdated. But this story certainly stood the test of time. I really feel I understand now why Dorian Gray is such an acclaimed and beloved story.
With every classic I read, I feel I gain a greater appreciation for writers throughout history, and I understand why some stories are meant to be carried on through time and shared again and again.
Don’t worry–I’ll still be sticking to my modern thrillers for the most part. (I can always count on them.) But I am definitely starting to branch out to different genres, and I am grateful I decided to do that. There is so much unexplored territory to delve into within the literary world, and I intend to cover as much ground as I can.
My Website | My YA Thriller Books | My Bookish Podcast | Linktree | Instagram
Now this is a classic that instantly makes me understand why it is a classic. I am absolutely in love with this story, from start to finish. There is so much to unpack and so much relevance to modern life that I could truly read this book again right now, just to absorb a little more of its magic.
One of my favorite parts of The Picture of Dorian Gray is that it delves into some of people’s deepest fears in such a clever way. Life, death, beauty, aging, and morality are prevalent themes that are explored in a way that lends the reader inspiration to think about them in their own lives. It’s the kind of story that could very easily send a person spiraling into an existential crisis, but at the end, it left me feeling more positive about the future.
As a young woman, I also felt that the way the topic of societal beauty standards was woven into the story was perfect and really shone a light on how hugely important a topic it is and has been throughout history–even over a hundred years ago when this book was first published.
I love that nearly all of the main themes around which this book revolves are relevant in today’s world. Pieces of literature written a hundred, or even just a dozen, years ago, can often fall into the trap of feeling too quickly outdated. But this story certainly stood the test of time. I really feel I understand now why Dorian Gray is such an acclaimed and beloved story.
With every classic I read, I feel I gain a greater appreciation for writers throughout history, and I understand why some stories are meant to be carried on through time and shared again and again.
Don’t worry–I’ll still be sticking to my modern thrillers for the most part. (I can always count on them.) But I am definitely starting to branch out to different genres, and I am grateful I decided to do that. There is so much unexplored territory to delve into within the literary world, and I intend to cover as much ground as I can.
My Website | My YA Thriller Books | My Bookish Podcast | Linktree | Instagram