The Picture of Dorian Gray is a Gothic and philosophical novel by
Oscar Wilde. It was first published in July 1890.
The story begins with the meeting between Dorian Gray, who is a young, handsome and Narcissic man and Lord Henry. They are meeting each other while Basil is painting the portrait of Dorian in a painting studio. Lord Henry is rich and he seems to be a middle-aged man. However, he has a very bad influence on Dorian who is kind of pure, because he manipulates him. Lord Henry influences Dorian with saying that his youth goes away and that he needs to yield to tempation. So Dorian started to live à life of pleasure, a life of sin and corruption. However, he falls in love with an actress but he abandoned her and the woman committed sucide. In addition, rumors started to spred about him so his friend Basil tried to reason with him but Dorian turned angry and killed him. Along the years, Dorian's friends age while he is still the same, but his picture discloses his evilness and corruptive life.
Although we can say that there is autobiographical elements in the story trhough the perspectives of the three differences perspectives of the three recurrent characters who are Dorian Gray, Lord Henry and Basil, to Characterize the author. Indeed, Basil represents the one who he thinks he is, Lord Henry represents the one who the world thinks he is and Dorian Gray represents the one who he would like to be.
What I really liked the description of the feelings, the visions of the caracters, and the evolution of the main caracter, that is Dorian Gray. But for me it was a little bit more anxious because of the creepy atmosphere, the reactions of Dorian and the murder of some characters.
I think that this book can be read by young adults and teenagers. However, because of the supernatural way, murders and violence, i think that this book is not appropriate for the youngest.