Let me just say, I could never ever pick just one book or author as my favorite. I believe all have their own merits, whether I like them or not personally. Also I have so many favorites it would literally be impossible to choose just one.
However, I've no idea why but the writing of Oscar Wilde has always captivated me. This book is one of the first classics that I ever read, and has hooked me for life. Its a sort of tragic story about a boy who is beautiful in every way, but gets caught up in it. He is pained by this artist and the picture (almost like magic) allows Dorian to live forever essentially. It takes all his sins, which are what would be aging him, and leaves him as youthful as the day it was painted. The picture ages with each of his sins. He murders, steals, drinks, sleeps around, etc. It eventually catches up with him, he is driven insane and cuts the picture up, but that ends up killing him because all his sins were returned to him and he ages instantly and dies. Its a book about souls and their corruption.
As horrible as I make this sound, please do not judge the book by what I say. I do not love it because of what is written, but how it is written. Oscar Wilde brilliantly paints pictures with his words in this book. The imagery he creates in your mind is so real, it is captivating. Even just the first sentence is rich:
"The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn."
The words he uses are almost too descriptive. He goes over the top and gives every little detail in a romantic light. However he retains a solid air of mystery. They spend the first three pages simply describing the picture and the artist. You don't hear of the books namesake until page 12, and even then he is not a major character yet. The book evolves into his incredible life slowly. The plot may move slower than most books, but because of the dense description you are never bored. Oscar Wold also uses an advanced vocabulary, which I appreciate as a challenge. Most people despise reading older English because they say it is hard. I like it because it challenges you to think about every sentence. You have to analyze every word, even if its just a superfluous and extra description or an essential piece of dialogue. The first three pages of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Grey gets right into all this in a captivating way. This is why it is one of my favorite books. This is a book with soul written into it.
On a separate note, I LOVE the preface that Oscar Wilde added. It explains his book beautifully. And art and writing in general, and what they mean.
And everyone should go read it: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/174/174-h/174-h.htm#chap00
Thanks!
However, I've no idea why but the writing of Oscar Wilde has always captivated me. This book is one of the first classics that I ever read, and has hooked me for life. Its a sort of tragic story about a boy who is beautiful in every way, but gets caught up in it. He is pained by this artist and the picture (almost like magic) allows Dorian to live forever essentially. It takes all his sins, which are what would be aging him, and leaves him as youthful as the day it was painted. The picture ages with each of his sins. He murders, steals, drinks, sleeps around, etc. It eventually catches up with him, he is driven insane and cuts the picture up, but that ends up killing him because all his sins were returned to him and he ages instantly and dies. Its a book about souls and their corruption.
As horrible as I make this sound, please do not judge the book by what I say. I do not love it because of what is written, but how it is written. Oscar Wilde brilliantly paints pictures with his words in this book. The imagery he creates in your mind is so real, it is captivating. Even just the first sentence is rich:
"The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn."
The words he uses are almost too descriptive. He goes over the top and gives every little detail in a romantic light. However he retains a solid air of mystery. They spend the first three pages simply describing the picture and the artist. You don't hear of the books namesake until page 12, and even then he is not a major character yet. The book evolves into his incredible life slowly. The plot may move slower than most books, but because of the dense description you are never bored. Oscar Wold also uses an advanced vocabulary, which I appreciate as a challenge. Most people despise reading older English because they say it is hard. I like it because it challenges you to think about every sentence. You have to analyze every word, even if its just a superfluous and extra description or an essential piece of dialogue. The first three pages of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Grey gets right into all this in a captivating way. This is why it is one of my favorite books. This is a book with soul written into it.
On a separate note, I LOVE the preface that Oscar Wilde added. It explains his book beautifully. And art and writing in general, and what they mean.
And everyone should go read it: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/174/174-h/174-h.htm#chap00
Thanks!
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