The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a novel written in England during the late 19th century. The story explores the life of a young man who becomes entranced by his own beauty and the hedonistic philosophies of Lord Henry Wotton. Dorian Gray 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. Combining elements of a Gothic horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book focuses on the everlasting themes of art, beauty, and morality. As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigour; but each day his recently painted portrait becomes a hideous picture of evil, hidden from the world. For more than a century, this mesmerizing tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It became one of Wilde’s most emblematic works and sits among the classic achievements of its kind.