I thoroughly enjoyed this superbly articulated novel when I was a uni student, the characters were well-developed, and
I could identify with Dorian's desire to find a balance between his
selfish motivation to indulge himself and his moral need to free himself
from his sins.
It is the endless plight of human existence: The moral
drive to overcome the sins of our nature. The way the novel was written
gives the reader a deep appreciation for Oscar Wilde, and the way in
which he writes. The novel was a little difficult here and there, not
because it was verbose or stylistically challenging, but merely because
it was very in-depth. The book itself is a beautiful work; but moreso
than the book itself are the ideas behind it.
I think this book is good for young people as it makes
one think about consequences of actions, the importance of emotions, of
repentance and redemption although this novel was criticized and decried as immoral in Victorian England.
Here is my favorite quote from this dark , Gothic novel
"Something has changed you completely. You look exactly the same
wonderful boy who, day after day, used to come down to my studio to sit
for his picture. But you were simple, natural and affectionate then. You
were the most unspoiled creature in the whole world. Now, I don't know
what has come over you. You talk as if you had no heart, no pity in
you." - Basil Hallward to Dorian Gray, Chapter 9.
