Published in 1891, The Picture of Dorian Gray is Oscar Wilde’s gripping philosophical novel which tells the story of a fashionable young man who receives a beautiful painted portrait of himself from his good friend Basil Hallward. During this same evening, Dorian is introduced to Lord Henry who impresses him with his discussion on the ideal of youthfulness and hedonism: “The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for things it has forbidden itself.”
The result: Wild’s devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on this young 19th century English aesthete. As Dorian sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his portrait slowly evolves to reflect his true self, a record which he must keep hidden from the world.
Wilde’s only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a truly impressive example of Gothic horror of an Faustian flavor, supremely timeless and relevant to any era.
Review by Michele P.
The Ghost of Canterville Chase has been haunting the Canterville family for over three centuries when the American Minister and his family move into the home. Mr. Otis and the family are doubtful of the Ghost’s existence until a blood mark on the library floor keeps reappearing every morning, even though the room was locked. While convinced of the Ghost’s existence, they remain unmoved by the whole situation. Mr. Otis offers the Ghost some grease to help with his squeaky chains. After the Ghost yells and screams in an attempt to frighten the Otis clan, Mrs. Otis offers him some cough syrup. The Ghost is incredibly depressed by all of this and devises a plan to get them back once and for all.
Wilde wrote this book-length letter while he was imprisoned at Reading Gaol for sodomy and gross indecency, in short for homosexual behavior. The letter, whose title means “from the depths,” is addressed to Lord Alfred Douglas. Under advisement from Lord Alfred, Wilde brought libel charges against Lord Alfred’s father, the Marquess of Queensberry, who had called Wilde a Sodomite. The whole situation got turned on its head when Queensberry provided proof that his allegations were true, and Wilde ended up in prison. This is a bit of an oversimplification, but Wilde himself discloses the whole history in the letter.