Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)

    Enthralled by his own exquisite portrait, Dorian Gray exchanges his soul for eternal youth and beauty. Influenced by his friend Lord Henry Wotton, he is drawn into a corrupt double life, indulging his desires in secret while remaining a gentleman in the eyes of polite society (Goodreads).

    A brilliant portrayal of humanity at its most raw, Oscar Wilde uses his trademark wit and thought-provoking philosophy to weave a grand tale that begins as a bold venture into human morality and sin, and finishes as a chilling yarn of horrific proportions. Countless quotable lines are peppered throughout, as Wilde showcases his talent at both dialogue and overall narration. Characterization is also done splendidly, as Basil, Lord Henry, and Dorian Gray himself all shine in their own specific way. The title character in particular stands out, as his transformation from innocent young man into cold-blooded killer paints (heh) an eerie picture of humanity at its worst. Wilde wraps it up with a grim (although, to be fair, somewhat predictable) ending, yet the novel itself leaves readers thinking about its contents for a long time afterwards. 8.7/10