The Picture of Dorian Gray

By: Oscar Wilde

Narrated by: Michael Page

Featured title in the 2018 PBS Great American Reads

When The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published in 1891, it evoked a tremendous amount of hostile criticism, in most part due to its immoral content. Oscar Wilde was identified with the "art for art's sake" movement of the 19th century which did not subordinate art to ethical instruction. However, this novel is indeed a morality tale about the hazards of egotistical self-indulgence.

"If it were I," exclaims Dorian, "who were always to be young and that picture that was to grow old . . . I would give my soul for that."

With that spoken, the tale of this young hero of amazing beauty, Dorian Gray, begins. His pact with evil allows his portrait to take on his many sins and degradations while his physical appearance remains youthful. Over the years as he becomes cruel and vicious, even murderous, Dorian's young and perfect body is no longer enough to salvage his deteriorating mind and morality. Will justice and good prevail?

Public Domain (P)2005 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What a story! What a performance!

Love it? Adore it! The decadence of human soul, having been corrupted by humanity. Wilde knew a great deal about it, for he had his own demons (nothing different from what we experience nowadays).
But it's not the novel I would like to commend, but the performance. Indeed, what a performance! Wow! Mr Page, hats off!

Wow!

Obviously, this is an amazing piece of literary work. However, never having read it, I was blown away by the depth of thought and social games. I liked it so much, I intend to read it again, highlighting the numerous quotes and passages I repeated over and over again as I listened.

Michael Page was simply amazing. He had a different voice for each and every character, and brought the story to life.

Great edition of this treasured story. I hope to hear more from the very talented Michael Page as I continue my belated journey through the classics!

Great Classic

I really love this story of a man who is trying to avoid the guilt of his own vanity. It left me asking if everyone was redeemable

A wonderful experience

The artistry of this book is amazing. The story is an original and an interesting journey through the soul of man. But the gifting of Oscar Wild is truly incredible.

Definitely worth to listen!

First of all, the narrator, Michael Page, is expressive and allow to fully immerse into the storyline, which is make me listen to it twice - as much I enjoyed some monologues of Herry and other characters. I highly recommend this book!

A decent read

A friend asked me (when I mentioned I was reading this) why it was a classic. In truth I am not all that sure. It isn't horrible but I don't think it is great literature, either. The idea is novel and his writing is generally lovely, but honestly I found the theme flawed.

At any rate this was my answer to her --

I think it is a classic because
a) it was shocking for its time
b) Oscar Wilde was a "celeb" and notorious and
c) some of the language in it is actually lovely

The theme, however, is too black and white. The whole damned thing could have been resolved with 'you can be both' 　

And dear lord, the man's descriptions of things were interminable.

The narrator was barely average. Some of his voices were cringe-worthy, but for the price it was a minor quibble.

Excellent book! I love Oscar Wilde's work.

This book was fascinating and had the same wit and charm as Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. I look forward to reading more of Wilde's writing.

Very Good Book

Very Good Book👍 If you like Psychology, Literature, Philosophy or all three, you will not be disappointed .

Michael Page an artist

The narrator of this story was an audio vision of perfection! Amazing! I loved it!

amorality and Hedonism run amok

It's sad that this novel is often summarized or portrayed in movies as a horror novel about some sort of deal with the devil, or an alter ego along the lines of Jekyll and Hyde, because it's really a movie about the perils of unfettered Hedonism and the misguided belief in the purity and goodness of beauty. The eponymous painting is really just the method that allows Dorian to be as selfish and Hedonistic as he chooses, because he remains youthfully "pure" and beautiful in his appearance, allowing him to, at least transiently, charm his way through a series of friends and playmates.

Oscar Wilde wrote some great stuff, and this is one of my favourites.