The Picture of Dorian Gray Audiobook By Oscar Wilde cover art

The Picture of Dorian Gray

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The Picture of Dorian Gray

By: Oscar Wilde
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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Oscar Wilde brings his enormous gifts for astute social observation and sparkling prose to The Picture of Dorian Gray, the dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This dandy, who remains forever unchanged---petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral---while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years, has been horrifying and enchanting readers for more than 100 years. Taking the reader in and out of London drawing rooms, to the heights of aestheticism, and to the depths of decadence, The Picture of Dorian Gray is not simply a melodrama about moral corruption. Laced with bon mots and vivid depictions of upper-class refinement, it is also a fascinating look at the milieu of Wilde's fin-de-siècle world and a manifesto of the creed "Art for Art's Sake."The ever-quotable Wilde, who once delighted London with his scintillating plays, scandalized readers with this, his only novel. Upon publication, Dorian was condemned as dangerous, poisonous, stupid, vulgar, and immoral, and Wilde as a "driveling pedant." The novel, in fact, was used against Wilde at his much-publicized trials for "gross indecency," which led to his imprisonment and exile on the European continent. Even so, The Picture of Dorian Gray firmly established Wilde as one of the great voices of the Aesthetic movement and endures as a classic that is as timeless as its hero.Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Scary Heartfelt Feel-Good Funny

Editorial reviews

Oscar Wilde’s classic endures with its gems of astute observation and cynical wit. The eerie story follows a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty in the form of a supernatural portrait. Life's mysterious paradoxes are laced throughout Lord Henry's brilliant aphorisms. Gray is urged by Henry to "love the wonderful life that is in you." The novel's qualities are mired in decadence, "art for art's sake," the new hedonism of the Victorian-era upper class, and societal moral corruption. Simon Prebble perfectly achieves Lord Henry's "low, languid voice" and sparkling conversation, while avidly expressing the other characters' more torrid emotions. Prebble brings the fable's gothic horror to life, but the more youthful characters lack believable intonation.
Beautiful Writing • Thought-provoking Themes • Excellent Narration • Captivating Psychological Thriller • Witty Dialogue
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Really would rate this 4 1/2 stars overall. A classic novella from one of the best prose writers of all time. Wilde was a master at the "turn of phrase", and in this story the character of Lord Henry (called "the prince of paradox") is a stand-in for Wilde himself. This is a novel that needs to be read (or listened to) more than once to catch all the philosophical ramblings. I did not think that Dorian should be blamed for all the degradation he believes he caused. After all individuals are responsible for their own actions and have a choice - they followed Dorian willingly. He himself was greatly influenced by the cynical Lord Henry. The idea of having the picture change with each cruel action was a brilliant literary device. Simon Prebble's narration was excellent although I did have some problems telling Lord Henry and Dorian apart.

A Cautionary Tale

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What made the experience of listening to The Picture of Dorian Gray the most enjoyable?

This was a really great audio book. i would recommened it to everyone.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Basil Hallward

Have you listened to any of Simon Prebble’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Loved it

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Simon Prebble is the ideal reader for The Picture of Dorian Grey. No one could have done it better.
And the book deserves a good reader. It is at once a wonderfully involving story of the macabre and a critique of the very aestheticism of which Wilde is thought to be the champion or the embodiment. All the bon mots are there to be savored – but pay attention to whose mouths Wilde puts them in it. The novel is it once a great work of fantasy and a perceptive piece of social criticism.

The Perfect Reader for Wilde's Novel

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The narrator was brilliant. Gave life to all characters. Good action. Not many dull moments. Very melodramatic. A good listen

Very well done

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I enjoy Wilde's use of language. In some ways this is probably one of the most simple stories. I found myself asking questions about my own life and choices. I can imagine, in my youth, I would have made all kinds of poor bargains. It's a quick read. I've seen this book as assigned reading to the young. I wonder if they can really get it? I wonder too if they can follow all the literary references.

Simple

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I know a very few stories that are able to encapsulate life and art in such a way. through Dorian Gray we can all see our deepest darkest reflection. everything we've ever done or thought of doing. Oscar Wilde truly was one of the greatest artists to ever touch pen to paper

not much for novels but this one is the exception

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Narration was very good. Oscar Wilde is who he is, and is not my favorite story teller. The themes are good for a book club.

worth a listen

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What a fascinating book, Oscar Wilde has such a way with words and a capacity to paint such vivid imagery! I highly recommend this version of the book as well.

Solid voice work from the narrator

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In this novel, you can expect enough science fiction to make it interesting to sci-fi buffs, yet it is not the hyper sci-fi we find in current novels. There is no diving into the 'Why' something super natural has happened, it just did. In modern texts, I would consider some sort of explanation a must in a good sci-fi story, but considering that this text is 100 years old, I seemed to not mind that absence. It really is about the human heart's struggle to deal with one's immorality without going mad. The narrator performed well with a pleasing accent and I could listen comfortably at 2X speed. I would spend a credit on this one. For my favorite read on Audible, check out Ken Grimwood's 'Replay'. Hope this helps someone. Later.

Simple Enjoyable Sci-Fi...

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Simon Prebble's narration is perfect. He gave life to all the characters in a way that you actually feel you are in the room with Dorian Gray. Started and could not let down and finished in a couple of days. i reccomend the book to anyone who likes to listen to a great story and have an amazing narration experience.

PERFECT STORY PERFECT PERFORMANCE MUST LISTEN

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