Gerhard Symons Books

Tells of a revolution that went wrong when the animals drive Mr Jones off his farm and attempt to run it themselves

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde's only published novel, first appeared in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine on June 20, 1890. The magazine's editors censored around 500 words without Wilde's knowledge, fearing indecency, yet the story still provoked outrage among British reviewers, some calling for Wilde's prosecution. In response, Wilde defended his work vigorously in letters to the press. He later revised the novel for its book publication, making significant changes, removing controversial passages, adding new chapters, and including a well-known aphoristic Preface. This revised version was published by Ward, Lock and Company in April 1891, although some scholars believe Wilde would have preferred the original submission. The narrative follows Dorian Gray, a young man whose beauty captivates artist Basil Hallward, who believes Dorian's allure inspires a new direction in his art. Dorian encounters Lord Henry Wotton, who introduces him to a hedonistic worldview that prioritizes beauty and sensory fulfillment. Fearing the loss of his beauty, Dorian whimsically wishes to sell his soul to ensure that his portrait ages instead of him. This wish is granted, and as Dorian indulges in a life of debauchery, the portrait reflects the moral decay of his soul, with each sin manifesting as a disfigurement or sign of aging. The novel is regarded as a classic of Gothic fiction with a profound Faustian theme.