The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Genre: Classics, Gothic fiction, Philosophical fiction, Decadent literature

Number of books: 1

Characters: Dorian Gray (cr. May-Mooncry), Lord Henry, Basil Hallward.

*kinda spoiler alert*

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

Goodreads synopsis: Written in his distinctively dazzling manner, Oscar Wilde’s story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty is the author’s most popular work. The tale of Dorian Gray’s moral disintegration caused a scandal when it first appeared in 1890, but though Wilde was attacked for the novel’s corrupting influence, he responded that there is, in fact, “a terrible moral in Dorian Gray.” Just a few years later, the book and the aesthetic/moral dilemma it presented became issues in the trials occasioned by Wilde’s homoual liaisons, which resulted in his imprisonment. Of Dorian Gray’s relationship to autobiography, Wilde noted in a letter, “Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps.

Personal Rating: 3.99/5

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Overall: ★★★

I'm conflicted with this (not because I read other reviews). It's because I watched the movie first (which at that time, I didn't even know it was based on this book itself. Starring Ben Barnes as Dorian Gray 😍). And later, I wanted to read the book because the movie as you know don't always interpret things the way the book did. And I'm hella annoyed that the movie and the book have a totally different ending. I can't say I love it, but I did enjoy it. In terms of dialogues and the whole writing, it was a long read even though it's only 20 chapters. But then again the genre of the book did revolves around the entire philosophical thing, so I'll let that slide. 

Back in the day, this book was a huge scandal. But in this time of age, this type of writing is acceptable for us because it reflects on the whole aspects of being young, we're experimenting with our lives to which suits us as a person, we make choices and have mistakes along the way (in ways Dorian calls it sin) dwelling on the whole soul thing whether it's corrupted or innocent. 

From my perspective, I find this book relatable and understandable in this era of ours. I might be wrong or criticize but innocent souls perhaps belongs to the young ones whereas people like us the grown ups have been marred by both positive and negative energy of that surrounding us. Do not tell me that nobody on this Earth has no demons that they're battling with themselves! Dorian is like that. He was innocent until Lord Henry came into his life and change his outlook on life. (Do you get what I'm saying? Am I making sense at all? T_T)

Dorian is also sorta narcissistic (okay, not sorta.) Like very self-centered of his extremely good looks, which is why he wished that the portrait his friend, one who Basil had painted for him to stay forever young, but the portrait will change. (Kinda like selling his soul to the devil, instead this is on the portrait) And when he became cruel for the first time, the picture did change. *Cue intense dramatic sound effect* Dorian became even more the egoistical and kept doing things he calls sins after sins, and his portrait turns to the ugliest version of him because his soul is so corrupted.

Wow! This is a long opinion of mine. Well, I did just recently finished reading it, so everything is still fresh in my mind. Oh! and I don't like the ending! It's very anticlimatic OTL

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This post is sloppy T_T 
that's because i'm in no head space to give lengthy thoughts on books..
It's not that i'm dropping this series, i like doing this... it's just things have been hard lately, and i'm taking a break from this series. 
I'll continue when i'm feeling better and in a good surroundings.

Do tell me what ya'll think in the comment section!