There are classics we have all heard of, but have never read. Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray was one of those. In spite of being familiar with the story of the beautiful young man who never ages, I’d never read the actual novel. I think deep down, I always knew I would read it one day, it was as if it was just simply a matter of time…
Time made itself known, not too long ago, when I walked past a stall selling used books. A small paperback caught my eye, the cover captured the essence of the story, there was something about the expression on the face of that young man that drew me, so I bought the paperback, for only £1.70. Money well spent considering the fact it’s deeply affected me as a writer.
In the novel, Basil Hallward, a painter, shows his friend Lord Henry, a painting he’s working on. The extraordinary beauty of the model, makes an impression on Lord Henry. Basil, tells him the young man’s name is Dorian Gray and speaks very highly of him, even to the point of telling Lord Henry that ‘He (Dorian) is all my art to me now.’
Whilst the men are gathered in Basil’s studio, Dorian stops by, to sit for Basil. Lord Henry wants to meet him, but Basil begs him not to: ‘Don’t spoil him’, ‘Don’t try to influence him’ but it is too late. One gets the feeling Basil somehow senses how bad this meeting will be for Dorian, little does he know, Dorian won’t be the only one affected. Even Dorian himself, appears to sense something when meeting Lord Henry as he replies ‘Yes, I am glad now, I wonder shall I always be glad?’ (in response to Lord Henry’s comment of: ‘You are glad to have met me.’)
It is during this fateful meeting, that Lord Henry begins to do exactly what Basil has begged him not to. Henry’s thoughts about ageing, and the power of youth, have a powerful effect on Dorian. We the readers, are witness to an inner change in him, and it is a disturbing one. What Dorian feels when looking at the finished painting, is not awe or happiness but pure horror as he is struck by the profound realisation his beauty will not only fade away but will also be forever captured in Basil’s painting to mock him in later years. It is during this moment of truth, that he utters words that change his destiny and that of others.
As the novel progresses, Dorian is further corrupted by a book Lord Henry lends him. Later in the story, Dorian says to him: ‘You poisoned me with a book once. I should not forgive that Harry, promise me that you will never lend that book to anyone. It does harm.’
Can a novel poison? Maybe, but the one thing I am certain of, is that a book can have a profound effect on a reader affecting them deeply. The Picture of Dorian Gray has done that. After just one reading, it became my favourite novel of all time, surpassing even Dracula. I’ve always been fascinated by duality, and inner conflict, something that is deeply embedded in my own novel. Dorian Gray is the perfect embodiment of that inner conflict. I have a soft spot for beautiful bad boys, there’s just something about them. As charming as Count Dracula can be is, pretty to look at he sure isn’t. However, it’s not only Dorian’s beauty that captivates me, it is his inner struggle and the realisation he’s gone too far. You feel for him, in spite of it all.
Oscar Wilde’s only novel is filled with great images, actually, it is one of the most visual novels I’ve ever read. Wilde describes a London that no longer exists, and through his words, that London comes alive in paragraphs like these:
Where he went to he hardly knew. He remembered wandering through dimly lit streets, past gaunt, black-shadowed archways and evil-looking houses. Women with hoarse voices and harsh laughter had called after him. Drunkards had reeled by, cursing and chattering to themselves like monstrous apes. He had seen grotesque children huddled upon door-steps, and heard shrieks and oaths from gloomy courts.
As the dawn was just breaking, he found himself close to Covent Garden. The darkness lifted, and, flushed with faint fires, the sky hollowed itself into a perfect pearl. Huge carts filled with nodding lilies rumbled slowly down the polished empty street.
Wilde said of the novel: ‘Basil Hallward is what I think I am; Lord Henry what the world thinks of me; Dorian what I would like to be – in other ages, perhaps.’ (Oscar Wilde to Ralph Payne, 12 February 1894)
I recently made a wonderful discovery when I realised Wilde was the author of the one and only children’s story to make an impression on me as a child: The Selfish Giant, so it is rather fitting that a story of his, was the first one to make an impression and that his one and only novel, changed me as a writer. Me thinks I need to drink up a Guinness or two to toast his name.
What about you? Are there any novels that have made a huge impression on you, either as a reader or writer?
Alannah Murphy is a former rock musician turned writer, currently working on a rock'n'roll novel set in London. 
Pingback: Review – The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde | The Invisible Mentor
Followed the link from your latest post and just had to agree. Dorian Gray is one of my favourites as well.
I only read it a few months ago, and it became my favourite novel, just like that. Must be the pretty Dorian that did it
Oh yes, pretty Dorian. And the relationship between the trio of main characters. And the settings. :3
All brilliant
Pingback: The Crow – A Haunting Dark Beauty | Sinister Echoes
Holy Moley, Alannah! I love this novel, love Oscar Wilde and love the 1945 MGM film version with the absolutely perfect George Saunders. Thanks for reminding me of its deliciousness.
You’re welcome! Oooh, you’ll have to do one of your cool artworks on it the film then
Love the film, I do remember it well…
Hmmm? You may have planted a seed, Alannah… HAH!
Woo hoo
This is one I’ve never read, either. Though it is on my someday list. Your review of it makes me want to move it closer to the top, however
Yes bump bump bump
Trust me, since you like dark boys, you’ll like Dorian…
Sometimes our delay in reaching for a specific title works to our adventage.
If you’d read this book years ago, before writing your WIP, perhaps the advantages you’ve gained would not have been so apparent. Perhaps the artistry would have gone unrecognized.
Thanks for a brilliant review, Alannah!
Thanks Nancy, glad you enjoyed it. It was written from the heart. I think I needed to go through everything I’ve gone through with my WIP in order to fully appreciate Dorian. Reading it, was almost like a magic wand, being waved in front of me, clearing up things, and making me certain of what I wanted to achieve
That’s the best feeling in the world . . . that sense that everything is coming together in exactly the right time and place. Enjoy!
Thank you my dear, glad you enjoyed it.
Yes I do remember you telling me that quote, it fitted Dorian perfectly. How wonderful that your grandfather gave you such good advice. Oscar was in his late 30s (36 I believe) when he wrote it, and that is old enough, (particularly in Victorian times) to understand how fleeting youth is. Yes, poor Dorian, I understand his wish, I understand his fear of ageing only too well, for it is my own fear, perhaps, it was Wilde’s fear as well. Yes, you’re right, that name is too awesome for the doctor
I thought this book was actually more read than other books, I thought because it was Oscar Wilde it was more popular. And I understand what you mean when you say we know is there, we know what it is about, we know… but we don’t really know anything until we actually take the time to read it.
I guess it was a combination of my grandfather’s advice to read it and the beautiful illustrations on the book, showing a handsome young man, that made me read this book at a very early age for the first time. I don’t think I understood the meaning of it quite as profound as you did, I guess because I was too young. But I have read it again, and now recently once more after you told me you were reading it, and -I don’t know if you remember, I even shared with you a quote by William Faulkner which describes dear Dorian perfectly- I have to say I agree with you my friend, you cannot hate Dorian, but feel sad for him.
Which brings me to point out something about some doctor who goes by the surname Beron hahaha, the name Dorian is too awesome for him.
Beautiful post! love it.
You’ve just bumped this book way up on the list of titles I am going to read someday.
That’s brilliant. If I get one person to read it, then the post has done its job
The book so familiar, yet so unread. I love being completely smitten by a book. The one that comes to mind (most recent anyway) was “Women Who Run With The Wolves”. That is a book I wish I had written!
That’s how I felt about the book myself, so familiar but unread up until now. I’ve heard of the book you mention, it was quite popular a few years back. I love being smitten by a book, and I’ve never been really smitten about one as I am with Dorian, and that is rather fitting, since everyone in the novel, is smitten by him
I have had a copy of this book on my shelf for a number of years now. Maybe I should make the time to read it.
Nice blog, Alannah.
Yes, you definitely should James. It is a work of art.