The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray is Oscar Wilde's only published novel—a masterpiece of Gothic fiction and a brilliant exploration of beauty, vanity, and the corrupting power of influence.

Dorian Gray is a young man of extraordinary beauty. When the artist Basil Hallward paints his portrait, Dorian makes a fateful wish: that he might remain forever young while the portrait ages in his place. Under the spell of Lord Henry Wotton's hedonistic philosophy, Dorian embarks on a life of pleasure and moral decay.

As Dorian indulges every desire and commits unspeakable acts, his face remains unblemished. But the portrait hidden in his attic tells the true story: it grows increasingly hideous with each sin, bearing the marks of a soul in ruin. For eighteen years, Dorian hides his secret—until the weight of his crimes becomes unbearable.

First published in 1890, the novel caused immediate scandal. Critics called it "poisonous" and "vulgar"[citation:3]. Yet Wilde defended his work in a famous preface, arguing for the rights of the artist and the principle of art for art's sake. Today, The Picture of Dorian Gray stands as one of the great classics of Western literature—a dark meditation on beauty, morality, and the dangerous gap between appearance and reality.

This audiobook is based on the 1891 public domain text. Produced and narrated by Qingye Wuchen, with AI assistance.

© 2026 HongMei Zhou (Lydbog): 9780466789930

Udgivelsesdato

Lydbog: 29. april 2026