Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Picture of Dorian Gray
Classic Literature· Ireland

The Picture of Dorian Gray

by Oscar Wilde
Aggregate Editorial Score50/100
#3of 99,626 books
Published 1890English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a landmark work of classic literature, first published in 1890. Oscar Wilde's only novel, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is a classic tale of vanity, moral corruption, and the pursuit of eternal youth. The story follows Dorian Gray, a young man whose portrait ages while he remains youthful and beautiful. Wilde's exploration of aestheticism, hedonism, and the duality of human nature has made this work a staple in classic literature. Themes of vanity, moral corruption, aestheticism run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorOscar Wilde
Published1890
Country of Origin🇮🇪 Ireland
LanguageEnglish
Category🏛️ Classic Literature
ISBN978-0141439570
Editorial Score50/100
About the Category

🏛️ Classic Literature

Enduring works that have shaped world literature across centuries.

Explore all Classic Literature books →
Country of Origin

🇮🇪 Ireland

This book is part of Ireland's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Ireland →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1890, Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is a work of classic literature that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with vanity, moral corruption, aestheticism, duality of human nature gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Its aggregate editorial score of 50/100 reflects recognition from 2 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes The Picture of Dorian Gray is how it handles its central concerns — vanity, moral corruption, aestheticism, duality of human nature — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Picture of Dorian Gray reflects Oscar Wilde's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Ireland's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
20030
BBC Big Read
list · global
20030
✍️
About the Author
Oscar Wilde
Ireland
View Author →

Oscar Wilde is a Ireland author whose work in classic literature has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

The Happiness Blueprint
New Release by Peter Burchardt
The Happiness Blueprint
Your Evolutionary Guide to Joy, Purpose, and Lasting Well-Being
Happiness isn’t a destination — it’s a blueprint written in your DNA.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Tin Drum
literary-fiction

The Tin Drum

Günter Grass· 1999
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score98/100
Cover of Celestial Bodies
literary-fiction

Celestial Bodies

Jokha Alharthi· 2010
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score93/100
Cover of The Grapes of Wrath
literary-fiction

The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck· 1962
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score90/100
Cover of Beloved
literary-fiction

Beloved

Toni Morrison· 1993
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score85/100
Cover of The Green House
literary-fiction

The Green House

Mario Vargas Llosa· 1966
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score84/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Picture of Dorian Gray about?

Oscar Wilde's only novel, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' is a classic tale of vanity, moral corruption, and the pursuit of eternal youth. The story follows Dorian Gray, a young man whose portrait ages while he remains youthful and beautiful. Wilde's exploration of aestheticism, hedonism, and the duality of human nature has made this work a staple in classic literature.

Who wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray?

The Picture of Dorian Gray was written by Oscar Wilde, from Ireland. First published in 1890.

What awards has The Picture of Dorian Gray won?

The Picture of Dorian Gray has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Picture of Dorian Gray worth reading?

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 50/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in vanity, moral corruption, aestheticism.

Where can I buy The Picture of Dorian Gray?

You can buy The Picture of Dorian Gray on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Picture of Dorian Gray?

The Picture of Dorian Gray is classified as Classic Literature. Enduring works that have shaped world literature across centuries.

What country is The Picture of Dorian Gray from?

The Picture of Dorian Gray originates from Ireland's literary tradition. Explore more books from Ireland on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🏛️More Classic LiteratureBrowse all Classic Literature books🇮🇪Books from Ireland🇮🇪 Ireland literature📅1890s BooksPublished in the 1890s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time