My First Dive into Wilde's Universe

Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" had been patiently waiting on my shelf for some time.

Until now, my acquaintance with the author was limited to his famous quotes and his reputation as a provocative writer. Thus, diving into this book, first published in 1890, marked my very first foray into his universe.

Right from the start, Wilde manages to captivate us, taking us to the heart of 19th-century London, a time when appearances, education, and a certain degree of hypocrisy were the keys to social success. The atmosphere is so vividly painted that one immediately feels absorbed by this world of deceptive appearances and hidden truths.

At the core of the novel, the interaction among the three main characters brings remarkable depth to the story:

Basil Hallward, the passionate and romantic painter, slightly out of step with his time, whose obsession with Dorian sets the story in motion.

Lord Harry Henry, a cynical and misogynistic aristocrat, whose troubling charisma allows him to navigate and advance within elite social circles.

Dorian Gray, the tragic muse and protagonist, a charming but weak young man, whose desire to preserve his youth at all costs opens the door to dark forces.

The book moves with remarkable ease through varied themes such as art, the fleeting nature of youth, vanity, ethics, beauty, and the pursuit of pleasure. I found the dialogues striking and the twists ever more captivating. The plot is enchanting, and this discovery not only kept me spellbound from beginning to end but also awakened in me a deep desire to delve further into Oscar Wilde's work !

Here are some novels that explore similar themes :

"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson

"Dracula" by Bram Stoker

"The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux

Share your read and thoughts in the comments or recommend me a book !