This year, I set a reading goal to get some of the “should reads” off of my TBR shelf.  My “should read” books are the classics that I felt as if I should have read in high school or college.   My goal for 2019 is to get 12 of those book titles off of my TBR list and onto my ‘Read’ Shelf by reading one title a month.

Last month’s pick was Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.  Click here for all the fun details!

February’s #BIyearofclassics pick is  The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

Why I chose this book:

#1 – This book is on almost all of the “Best novels” lists including:
The Guardian’s list of 100 best books – #27
The Great American Reads – #55
Southern Living’s 50 Best Classics – #42

#2 – I’ve read Oscar Wilde before.    I know that I’ve read his play, The Importance of Being Earnest, although I have to admit it’s been awhile.

#3 – Oscar Wilde’s life was very interesting and I love to read the history behind people and things.

#4 – Dorian Gray has been called a gothic horror novel, which is a genre I adore!  See The Little Stranger Review

The plot sounds intriguing.

What is the story about? (summary from Amazon)

In this celebrated work, his only novel, Wilde forged a devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on a young aesthete in late-19th-century England. Combining elements of the Gothic horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book centers on a striking premise: As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recently painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil, which he must keep hidden from the world. For over a century, this mesmerizing tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It ranks as one of Wilde’s most important creations and among the classic achievements of its kind.

Here are some questions (taken from Litlovers) I will be thinking about as I read:

#1 – In the preface (be sure to read this), Wilde writes that “there is no such thing as a moral or immoral book.” In other words, art has no effect, other than aesthetic, on individuals or society. Do you agree with Wilde’s premise? Does this novel adhere to his statement?

#2 – Discuss Dorian’s portrait. What does it represent? What does it suggest about the effect of experience on the soul? Why does Dorian hide it in the attic?

#3 – Dorian’s scandalous behavior shocks his peers, yet he remains welcome in social circles? Why? What is Wilde suggesting about “polite” London society?

#4 – Discuss the ending: what does it mean?

#5 – Do you find any of these characters believable? Why or why not? (If not, do you think Wilde might have purposely drawn them as such?)

#6 – If you know the story of Faust, what parallels do you find in Wilde’s novel?

How this will work:

Throughout the month, I will be posting quotes, thoughts about the book and answers to some of the questions above on Instagram.

You can join me by following me @bookishinspiration or the hashtag #BIyearofclassics

On February 25, I will post about my reading of The Picture of Dorian Gray on my blog.   This will include my thoughts about the book, answers to some of the questions above, and other “research” I conducted around the book or the author throughout the month.  (See Murder on the Orient Express Wrap Up)

I hope that you will enjoy reading along with me and discussing the book, or at least following along on my classics adventure!  

If you would like to see the complete list of my #BIyearofclassics, subscribe to my new monthly newsletter below!

Thanks for visiting the blog today.  Until next time, happy reading!

Click here to read all about the #BIyearofclassics Reading Challenge!