The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde

Recommended By

Book Reviews

This book was on Sam Altman's bookshelf.

Book Synopsis

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde is a classic novel that delves into the themes of morality, art, and the corrupting influence of society.

The story revolves around the handsome and wealthy Dorian Gray, who becomes enthralled by his own portrait painted by the talented artist, Basil Hallward. Faced with the fear of aging and losing his beauty, Dorian makes a pact that allows his portrait to age and reflect the consequences of his actions instead.

As Dorian indulges in a hedonistic and immoral lifestyle, his portrait begins to transform, revealing the hideous effects of his debauchery. Meanwhile, his youthful appearance remains untouched, causing him to lead a double life.

Throughout the novel, Wilde explores the conflicting desires for eternal youth and the pursuit of pleasure. Dorian's transformation from innocent youth to immoral hedonist highlights the destructive nature of vanity and selfishness.

As the tale progresses, Dorian's actions lead to the suffering and downfall of those around him, including Basil and his love interest, the actress Sibyl Vane. The portrait becomes a disturbing reflection of Dorian's soul, representing the consequences of his immoral choices.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" is a thought-provoking and elegant literary work that presents a captivating exploration of the human condition, shedding light on the delicate balance between moral responsibility and the pursuit of personal desires.

Explore More Books

See All
The Fourth Part of the World
High
Justice on Trial
The Third Wave
Stress Test
Iacocca
Lincoln at Gettysburg
Consider Phlebas
Out of the Crisis
Twelve Against The Gods
The Bias That Divides Us
Linchpin
Judgment in Managerial Decision Making
Triggered
Anna Karenina
Atlas Shrugged
A Short Guide to a Happy Life
Modern Aramaic (Assyrinan/Syriac) Dictionary
The Book of Five Rings
Poor Numbers
The Undercover Economist
Vagabonding
Gridiron Genius
Execution
Folk Devils and Moral Panics
The Amber Spyglass
A Short History of Financial Euphoria
The Nature of the Beast
Shadow Divers
Stranger In A Strange Land
Destined For War
The Art of  Scientific Investigation
Mastering The Market Cycle
Artificial Intelligence
The Legend of Henry Ford
The Painted Bird
Restoring Our Republic
Lessons for the Living
The World Without Us
Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World
The Fourth Turning
The Sum of Us
Kochland
Sit Like a Buddha
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Awakening Joy
The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership
The Tycoons
Malabar Farm
The Watchman's Rattle
Global Crisis
Smart People Should Build Things
The Purple Cow
Indistractable
Civilized to Death
The Art of Spirited Away
Building the Intentional University
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
A Story Lately Told
The Power of Full Engagement
Immortality
The Great Convergence
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert
Tales of the Unexpected
SuperFreakonomics
Friday Black
Undaunted Courage
House of Morgan
1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die
Watchmen
Powering the Future
The Long Tail
Molecular Biology of the Cell
The Story of the Human Body
A Gentleman in Moscow
Race Against The Machine
A Curious Mind
Soon I Will Be Invincible
The Two-Parent Privelege
A Pattern Language
Home Economics
In Over Our Heads
The Upside of Inequality
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Edison
Tribe of Mentors
The World We Have Lost
Sailing Alone Around The World
The Culture Code
The Water Dancer
Rational Expectations
David Bowie
Devil's Harbor
The Conquest of Gaul
Farsighted
No Two Alike
The Back of the Napkin
The Hate U Give
The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí