Book description
This version of Oscar Wilde's only published novel has been especially
formatted for the latest e-readers. The text first appeared as the lead
story in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine on 20 June 1890, printed as the
July 1890 issue of this magazine. The title of the book is often
translated The Portrait of Dorian Gray, however This version remains
true to the original. The novel tells of a young man named Dorian Gray,
the subject of a painting by artist Basil Hallward. Basil is impressed
by Dorian's beauty and becomes infatuated with him, believing his beauty
is responsible for a new mode in his art. Dorian meets Lord Henry
Wotton, a friend of Basil's, and becomes enthralled by Lord Henry's
world view. Espousing a new hedonism, Lord Henry suggests the only
things worth pursuing in life are beauty and fulfillment of the senses.
Realizing that one day his beauty will fade, Dorian expresses his desire
to sell his soul to ensure the portrait Basil has painted would age
rather than himself. Dorian's wish is fulfilled, plunging him into
debauched acts. The portrait serves as a reminder of the effect each act
has upon his soul, with each sin displayed as a disfigurement of his
form, or through a sign of aging... The Picture of Dorian Gray is
considered a work of classic gothic horror fiction with a strong
Faustian theme, and is as enthralling today as it was when first
written. This version of Oscar Wilde's only published novel has been
especially formatted for the latest e-readers. The text first appeared
as the lead story in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine on 20 June 1890,
printed as the July 1890 issue of this magazine. The title of the book
is often translated The Portrait of Dorian Gray, however This version
remains true to the original. The novel tells of a young man named
Dorian Gray, the subject of a painting by artist Basil Hallward. Basil
is impressed by Dorian's beauty and becomes infatuated with him,
believing his beauty is responsible for a new mode in his art. Dorian
meets Lord Henry Wotton, a friend of Basil's, and becomes enthralled by
Lord Henry's world view. Espousing a new hedonism, Lord Henry suggests
the only things worth pursuing in life are beauty and fulfillment of the
senses. Realizing that one day his beauty will fade, Dorian expresses
his desire to sell his soul to ensure the portrait Basil has painted
would age rather than himself. Dorian's wish is fulfilled, plunging him
into debauched acts. The portrait serves as a reminder of the effect
each act has upon his soul, with each sin displayed as a disfigurement
of his form, or through a sign of aging... The Picture of Dorian Gray is
considered a work of classic gothic horror fiction with a strong
Faustian theme, and is as enthralling today as it was when first
written.
