The Picture of Dorian Gray

"Beauty is a form of genius –
and indeed superior to genius,
for it needs no explanation."

One of the most unorthodox novels of the modern era, The Picture of Dorian Gray tells the shocking story of the hedonist Dorian who, captivated by the exceptionally beautiful portrait painted by Basil Hallward, sells his soul in exchange for eternal youth and beauty. Under the influence of his friend, Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian surrenders to a debauched lifestyle which he keeps hidden from high society, in whose eyes he remains a gentleman. The portrait, in contrast to his flawless appearance, bears the marks of his decay. The allusions to the unspeakable sins the hero indulges in caused a scandal when the book was first published in 1891 – the book was used as evidence in Oscar Wilde's trial in 1895. Of course, the British critics of the time did not give this work a warm reception either, although the words of its author, "Let my book, I beg you, have the immortality it deserves," proved to be rather prophetic. Today, although more than a hundred years have passed since its first publication, Oscar Wilde's Faustian tale of moral degradation continues to fascinate.