Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

About: Oscar Wilde's story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty is one of his most popular works. Written in Wilde's characteristically dazzling manner, full of stinging epigrams and shrewd observations, the tale of Dorian Gray's moral disintegration caused something of a scandal when it first appeared in 1890. Wilde was attacked for his decadence and corrupting influence, and a few years later the book and the aesthetic/moral dilemma it presented became issues in the trials occasioned by Wilde's homosexual liaisons, trials that resulted in his imprisonment. Of the book's value as autobiography, Wilde noted in a letter, "Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps." (from goodreads.com)

Review: First off I have to say every time Wilde would described Dorian, I literally fell in love. I do believe I have a mad crush on Dorian Gray, sinfulness and all. I got this book from a used bookstore after seeing the British version movie. It was a fluke I happen to find it, hard cover, vintage, I had to have it. So I started this book awhile ago, a book I should have finished in weeks took me months. I've been busy I swear. The book starts off with Basil and Lord Henry exchanging conversation about this new boy Dorian. You meet him, you like him, but it's Lord Henry and his ideas that make Dorian who he is. Lord Henry's voice is throughout the book more than Dorian's. All his ideals, thought, passions, ways of life are torn from this little book Lord Henry gives Dorian. After Dorian wishes for his youth and is granted it through the picture the book becomes vague. Not as in detail, but I guess I wanted to know more about the sins Dorian was getting into and Wilde doesn't spell things out, he leaves a lot unknown. For example, when Dorian needs the scientist to clean up a body, we never do find out how Dorian blackmails him into helping him. It will forever bother me. He vaguely talks all the other scandalous things he does. Sibyl Vane is the main things we read about, maybe because we find out Dorian really doesn't have a heart anymore. The only time we read about Dorian actually going on one of his nightclub adventures, he runs into James Vane at an opium den, and after that Dorian is nothing but nerves. In a strange way like to believe Dorian was out and about, smoking opium, drinking excessively, sleeping with Duchesses. I'm not sure why but I liked that aspect of the book, that Dorian could do anything and his perfect boyish, innocent face would not change. Of course in the end he wanted to be good, and did only what he could to do so. I enjoyed Lord Henry, more than anything. I enjoyed his attitude and way about him. He was who he was and didn't care who knew. Dorian tried to hide a lot of it. Also I liked how Dorian went for beauty, anything aesthetically pleasing to any of the senses. There is a lengthy chapter solely to describe the different art, rugs, statues Dorian has collected through the years. Over all It's a classic and a must read for everyone. If you're a quick reader, shouldn't take more than a week.

(Side Not Fact: There is this guy who has come into my work a couple times and his name is Dorrin, and he is exactly how I imagine Dorian, basically he's gorgeous, I want to marry him.)

New! Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One by George R. R. Martin

About: In A Game of Thrones, the first book of a projected six, George R.R. Martin rewards readers with a vividly real world, well-drawn characters, complex but coherent plotting, and beautifully constructed prose, which Locus called "well above the norms of the genre." 

Martin's Seven Kingdoms resemble England during the Wars of the Roses, with the Stark and Lannister families standing in for the Yorks and Lancasters. The story of these two families and their struggle to control the Iron Throne dominates the foreground; in the background is a huge, ancient wall marking the northern border, beyond which barbarians, ice vampires, and direwolves menace the south as years-long winter advances. Abroad, a dragon princess lives among horse nomads and dreams of fiery reconquest. (from amazon.com)

It was hard to find a specific review, so this was the best I could do. Also I started watching this series on HBO and it is amazing!! I've had friend who have read the books and said they are better than the HBO series, but that the series is very close to the book and characters. Definitely one I will have to read.

Casting For The Hunger Games

As like many people, I am a huge fan of The Hunger Games series. I'm sure the buzz is around the cast of who will play who for these epic films. Well as I do in my spare time, I like to look for people who would fill my imagination of the people I first loved as I read and imagined them in my books. With that being said, the casting for The Hunger Games is already done, but I still wish it was a bit different. Here is my list of people who should have been cast, due to my made up image of them.

Katniss Everdeen: Kaya Scodelario 

I imagined Katniss very pretty but naturally pretty. Kaya Scodelario would have been perfect for her role. And she's also a great actress, tall, thin, totally Katniss.

Peeta Mellark: Alex Pettyfer

I imagined Peeta, sweet, younger looking little blonde boy. This guy would have been perfect!

Gale Hawthorne: Gaspard Ulliel

This one was hard, Cause I am team Gale. One: I imagined him super hot. Two: I just loved his personality in the books. So naturally I found someone who could do both.

Haymitch Abernathy: Sean Bean

I imagined him older, and more drunk, perhaps with a slight beard. I think Sean Bean would have been a good candidate. (he also looks slightly drunk in this picture, how perfect)

Unfortunately the casting they did do isn't all that great. I'm a bit disappointed to be honest. But here is a think to the actual casting from IMDB.com.

Who do you think would make a good cast?

New! Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

About: As a kid, Jacob formed a special bond with his grandfather over his bizarre tales and photos of levitating girls and invisible boys. Now at 16, he is reeling from the old man's unexpected death. Then Jacob is given a mysterious letter that propels him on a journey to the remote Welsh island where his grandfather grew up. There, he finds the children from the photographs--alive and well--despite the islanders’ assertion that all were killed decades ago. As Jacob begins to unravel more about his grandfather’s childhood, he suspects he is being trailed by a monster only he can see. A haunting and out-of-the-ordinary read, debut author Ransom Rigg’s first-person narration is convincing and absorbing, and every detail he draws our eye to is deftly woven into an unforgettable whole. (from amazon.com)

This book sounds very interesting. One of those more original kind of thrillers. Adding it to the list of to reads. Also, totally spooky cover, love it.

Update

Life Update: So sorry followers, I've been caught up in school and work since school ended in May, and summer classes started 2 weeks after. Also, I was able to leave on a backpacking trip for a couple days, hence the absence. But I am back and in full force of book blogging.

Book Update: I am still reading Dorian Grey, soon to be finished. Trying to squeeze in a few others at the same time. Mostly library books that I need to return. So new reviews coming soon.

If you have any books you want reviewed, feel free to let me know by leaving a comment.