description: Oscar Wilde’s only novel is the dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty.In this celebrated work Wilde forged a devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on a young aesthete in late-19th-century England. Combining elements of the Gothic horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book centers on a striking premise: As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recently painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil, which he must keep hidden from the world. For over a century, this mesmerizing tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It ranks as one of Wilde's most important creations and among the classic achievements of its kind.
language: English
title: Picture of Dorian Gray
titlecomplete: Picture of Dorian Gray
characters: Lord Henry Wotton, Lady Victoria Wotton, James Vane, Lord Staveley, Alan Campbell, Dorian Gray, Adrian Singleton, Lady Narborough, Lady Gwendolen, Duchess of Monmouth, Henry Ashton, Basil Hallward, Sibyl Vane
genres: Fiction, Gothic, LGBT, Horror, Literature, Classics, Novels, 19th Century, Fantasy, Audiobook
ratings_count: 1438185
places: England, London, England
publisher: MacMillan Education, Limited