The Picture of Dorian Gray
(Author) Oscar WildeThe launch of the Sterling Signature Classics program. Sterling will roll out six new Signature Classics each season. When handsome young Dorian Gray sees a painter's stunning portrait of him, he is transfixed by its reflection of his own beauty. He is also troubled by the knowledge that the image in the painting will remain forever youthful and handsome while he himself grows older and less desirable. He wishes aloud that the roles were reversed, saying that he would give his soul if only the painting would suffer the ravages of time and he were to remain forever young. From that point on, Dorian lives a life of hedonistic indulgence, knowing that only the painting will show his moral corruption.
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde was an Irish playwright, novelist, and essayist known for his wit, flamboyant style, and sharp social commentary. His most famous works include the play "The Importance of Being Earnest" and the novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray," both of which explore themes of identity, morality, and societal expectations. Wilde's writing is characterized by clever wordplay, satirical humor, and a keen observation of human nature. He was a key figure in the aesthetic and decadent movements of the late 19th century and is considered one of the most important voices in British literature. Wilde's impact on literature can be seen in his subversion of conventional Victorian norms and his pioneering use of irony and paradox.
Other related
