Before anything, I'd like to say that even though this blog is written in English, I recommend you to do as I did and read the books I criticise in their original language (if you can). This way you'll like them much more and you'll find astute word games and double meanings which will help you read the book in all of its potential.

February 17, 2013

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

Criticism:

This novel, written by Oscar Wilde, is as pessimistic as it is philosophical. But although an oppressive pessimism lives throughout the whole book, and the ending- and mostly everything that happens in the story- is predictable, this doesn't abate the reading's value as, in this book, the importance of this book isn't in these
things, but instead in the conclusions that can be drawn from it. It is a book in which the reader has to brood over most sentences, a solid book which must be read slowly to brood over every exposed idea, which talks about the meaning of life, about sins, and especially about hedonism. It is a terribly realistic book which considers things worth considering in life; and at the same time it is a very intriguing book, although not very sentimental.
Therefore, it is a book that hooks the reader; that tempts and nearly challenges the reader to keep reading (style which is very appropriate for its contents). Although it is pessimistic, it is very interesting, and it is neither sad nor tragic nor a terror book, etc. It simply has a dark and Gothic style which, from my point of view, is quite close to that of Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë, but more interesting and much easier to enjoy. Therefore, I would recommend it to people older than 14.

Author's official webpage: Nonexistent

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