The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

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Oscar Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray is about a young man who "sells his soul to the devil" in exchange for eternal youth. It is one of those novels I hear mentioned all the time. I think it is well written as a whole, and even though the supernatural element is not clearly explained, the rest of the novel is so well developed that it makes up for what isn't there. If the novel is categorized as gothic, then it would be the first gothic novel that I like.

The dashing Oscar Wilde was arrested for being gay. The novel has a really overt homosexual theme. Though the male characters have wives and stuff, the way they feel about each other is unmistakably romantic and sexual. In fact I think it would be ignorant to even attempt to read it any other ways.


This is a Rembrandt paiting of Faust, the German legend about a man who sells his soul to the devil. The story of Dorian Gray plays off of the same theme and structure.

It's not that long, and it's a good read, so check it out!