The Picture of Dorian Gray Annotated Edition (Alma Classics Evergreens)

i'm so glad i decided to re-read this in english, the writing is stunning!!! definitely a book to take your time with, wonderfully dark and witty it's at the top of every classic rec list for a reason

This book, set in Victorian London, tells the story of a naive, young man named Dorian Gray, who is exquisitely beautiful. Basil Hallward paints an incredibly accurate portrait of him, capturing his beauty and youth. However, everything changes when Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, who persuades him that youth is the most important and most powerful thing in life and must be preserved at all costs. Dorian, mesmerized by this idea, wishes that his portrait would grow old while he himself remains youthful. This is where the tale of beauty, art, and sin begins to unravel... But if you don’t believe in sin, how could it have a cost? This is a story about the loss of innocence, indulgence in sin and debauchery, and everything that happens in between. However, it is also an examination of the human soul - its struggle with vanity, hunger for immortality, and the consequences of a life devoid of responsibility. While Dorian comes to realize that physical beauty is finite, the tragic beauty of his story is not.

Dieses Buch hat meine Liebe für classics erweckt. Es ist eines von den Büchern, die man immer wieder lesen kann und jedes Mal bemerkt man etwas neues, das einem davor nie aufgefallen ist. Das Konzept der Geschichte ist so interessant und wirft viele moralische Fragen auf, die auch heute immer noch relevant sind. Oscar Wildes Schreibstil ist ein ganz besonders toller und das Ende schockt mich immer wieder von Neuem. Unbedingte Lesempfehlung!!!

Sehr sehr schönes Cover und hochwertiger Einband! Die Seiten haben außerdem einen Goldrand. Die Geschichte selbst hat mir natürlich ebenfalls gefallen, kann das Buch beziehungsweise diese Ausgabe wirklich sehr empfehlen!

“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.” (The Picture of Dorian Gray) Oscar Wilde's only novel - the picture of Dorian Gray - is, simply speaking, a masterpiece. It deals with the decline of the human soul, and the consequences of not having to fear any consequences at all. We get to know young, beautiful, privileged, wealthy, yet naive Dorian Gray and explore the depths of the corruption of our souls through him. It's a critique of the Victorian society which can very well be transferred to today's - how far are we willing to go for eternal youth and beauty? How far can we push our vanities? I find myself being drawn back to the book more often than I'd like to admit; it's most definitely one of my all-time favourites. If you want to explore Basil and Dorian's relationship further, I recommend reading the uncensored version:)