The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

Here's another classic I hadn't read before, and I really enjoyed this one. Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published in 1890 and tells the story of a beautiful young man who is overcome by vanity and corruption. Gray has a portrait painted of himself in his youth, at which time he makes a wish that his physical appearance will never change and that all of the signs of ageing will be reflected in the portrait instead - by doing this, sacrificing his pure soul. As he gets older and is influenced by the debauchery of others, as well as his friend Lord Henry Wotton, the portrait becomes haggard and filled with signs of his sinful life, keeping all his scandal a secret, whilst his own appearance remains as outwardly beautiful and youthful as ever to civilised society.

This is such a spooky, haunting and gripping read, and Wilde's language is decadent and luscious. Naturally, there are some outdated elements (didn't enjoy the overall treatment of women in the book, but that's hardly a surprise), but if you overlook this and appreciate the book in light of it's own time then this is a mesmerising and absorbing read. Wilde captures the danger of vanity, sin, shallowness and hedonism by illustrating the fall from grace of the once pure and innocent character of Dorian, who is often referred to as angelic. He begins the novel as an innocent man, certainly impressionable and easily led, and over the course of the 200-odd pages he becomes cruel, vicious, even evil. 

I've not read much of Wilde's work before, aside from a book of his poetry, and would definitely like to read more having enjoyed Dorian Gray so much (perhaps one of his plays, next). What struck me the most was the use of language (aptly described by one reviewer as the 'viscous liquid' spilling out of a honey pot), which is luminous and indulgent whilst not overly flowery. The supernatural elements, as well as the eerie atmosphere created at moments of villainy, give this novel a sinister air which you find difficult to draw yourself away from.