The Picture of Dorian Gray

Synopsis

Dorian Gray has everything youth can offer: beauty, charm, and endless possibility. When he wishes that a painted portrait might grow old in his place, his desire is mysteriously granted. As Dorian pursues a life devoted to pleasure and excess, he remains outwardly untouched by time while his portrait records the true cost of every choice he makes.

Part Gothic novel, part philosophical tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray is Oscar Wilde's only novel and one of the defining works of Victorian literature. A brilliant exploration of vanity, morality, desire, and the corrupting pursuit of eternal youth, it continues to captivate readers more than a century after its publication. This Penguin Classics edition includes an introduction and notes by Robert Mighall, along with contemporary reviews and additional essays.

About the Author

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish writer, poet, and playwright whose wit and literary brilliance made him one of the defining voices of the Victorian era. Best known for The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest, his work continues to be celebrated for its sharp social commentary, memorable characters, and enduring influence on English literature.

Publisher
Penguin Classics

Publication Date
February 4, 2003

Format
Paperback

Pages
304

Subjects
Classics · Literary Fiction · Gothic Fiction · British Literature

ISBN
9780141439570