The Picture of Dorian Gray

By: Oscar Wilde

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Oscar Wilde brings his enormous gifts for astute social observation and sparkling prose to The Picture of Dorian Gray, the dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This dandy, who remains forever unchanged---petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral---while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years, has been horrifying and enchanting readers for more than 100 years. Taking the reader in and out of London drawing rooms, to the heights of aestheticism, and to the depths of decadence, The Picture of Dorian Gray is not simply a melodrama about moral corruption. Laced with bon mots and vivid depictions of upper-class refinement, it is also a fascinating look at the milieu of Wilde's fin-de-siècle world and a manifesto of the creed "Art for Art's Sake."The ever-quotable Wilde, who once delighted London with his scintillating plays, scandalized readers with this, his only novel. Upon publication, Dorian was condemned as dangerous, poisonous, stupid, vulgar, and immoral, and Wilde as a "driveling pedant." The novel, in fact, was used against Wilde at his much-publicized trials for "gross indecency," which led to his imprisonment and exile on the European continent. Even so, The Picture of Dorian Gray firmly established Wilde as one of the great voices of the Aesthetic movement and endures as a classic that is as timeless as its hero.

Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor

A Cautionary Tale

Really would rate this 4 1/2 stars overall. A classic novella from one of the best prose writers of all time. Wilde was a master at the "turn of phrase", and in this story the character of Lord Henry (called "the prince of paradox") is a stand-in for Wilde himself. This is a novel that needs to be read (or listened to) more than once to catch all the philosophical ramblings. I did not think that Dorian should be blamed for all the degradation he believes he caused. After all individuals are responsible for their own actions and have a choice - they followed Dorian willingly. He himself was greatly influenced by the cynical Lord Henry. The idea of having the picture change with each cruel action was a brilliant literary device. Simon Prebble's narration was excellent although I did have some problems telling Lord Henry and Dorian apart.

Loved it

What made the experience of listening to The Picture of Dorian Gray the most enjoyable?

This was a really great audio book. i would recommened it to everyone.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Basil Hallward

Have you listened to any of Simon Prebble’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

The Perfect Reader for Wilde's Novel

Simon Prebble is the ideal reader for The Picture of Dorian Grey. No one could have done it better.
And the book deserves a good reader. It is at once a wonderfully involving story of the macabre and a critique of the very aestheticism of which Wilde is thought to be the champion or the embodiment. All the bon mots are there to be savored – but pay attention to whose mouths Wilde puts them in it. The novel is it once a great work of fantasy and a perceptive piece of social criticism.

Very well done

The narrator was brilliant. Gave life to all characters. Good action. Not many dull moments. Very melodramatic. A good listen

Simple

I enjoy Wilde's use of language. In some ways this is probably one of the most simple stories. I found myself asking questions about my own life and choices. I can imagine, in my youth, I would have made all kinds of poor bargains. It's a quick read. I've seen this book as assigned reading to the young. I wonder if they can really get it? I wonder too if they can follow all the literary references.

not much for novels but this one is the exception

I know a very few stories that are able to encapsulate life and art in such a way. through Dorian Gray we can all see our deepest darkest reflection. everything we've ever done or thought of doing. Oscar Wilde truly was one of the greatest artists to ever touch pen to paper

worth a listen

Narration was very good. Oscar Wilde is who he is, and is not my favorite story teller. The themes are good for a book club.

Simple Enjoyable Sci-Fi...

In this novel, you can expect enough science fiction to make it interesting to sci-fi buffs, yet it is not the hyper sci-fi we find in current novels. There is no diving into the 'Why' something super natural has happened, it just did. In modern texts, I would consider some sort of explanation a must in a good sci-fi story, but considering that this text is 100 years old, I seemed to not mind that absence. It really is about the human heart's struggle to deal with one's immorality without going mad. The narrator performed well with a pleasing accent and I could listen comfortably at 2X speed. I would spend a credit on this one. For my favorite read on Audible, check out Ken Grimwood's 'Replay'. Hope this helps someone. Later.

PERFECT STORY PERFECT PERFORMANCE MUST LISTEN

Simon Prebble's narration is perfect. He gave life to all the characters in a way that you actually feel you are in the room with Dorian Gray. Started and could not let down and finished in a couple of days. i reccomend the book to anyone who likes to listen to a great story and have an amazing narration experience.

A Study of Shallowness & Vanity

In this dark and tragic commentary, Oscar Wilde spares no liberties in discussing morality, religion, society, and the depths of the human condition. This is a book in which beauty seems to be considered as an end in itself — except that Dorian’s great love of beauty ought to have induced in him such a revulsion at the growing ugliness of his character.

Dorian Gray is beauty in human form. His friend Basil Hallward, a painter, sees Dorian's beauty and is driven to portray it on canvas. Per Dorian's wish, he will remain beautiful, and Basil's portrait will bear the ravages of his soul. Basil's homoerotic fascination with Dorian, and its expression in his portrait of Dorian, will unwittingly lead to tragedy.

Overall: This is a deep novel, and requires some thinking about the lessons and messages throughout the writing. It's "a book that has never finished saying what it has to say."