Review of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray and Three Stories (Signet Classics)' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
A great foray into hedonism and the philosophical discussions that surround it. An easy read, but an impossible novel to interpret. Like any good story, there are obvious lessons learned, but to determine what lies beneath requires a better knowledge of the author, in my opinion. 4 out of 5 stars. I'd like to read the 1890 original version (on Wikisource) to see how much he censored the story for the final 1891 novel.
I also read "The Happy Prince", one of the three short stories included in this edition. As a simple childrens story, it stands in great contrast to the adult themes of the novel. However, like Dorian Gray, the prose is beautifully crafted. 3 out of 5 stars for "The Happy Prince."
