Oscar Wilde brings his enormous gifts for astute social observation and sparkling prose to The Picture of Dorian Gray, his dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This dandy, who remains forever unchanged—petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral—while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years, has been an enchanting read for many years for myself, this story just doesn't grow old or become even the slightest bit dull with time.
Taking the reader in and out of London drawing rooms, to the heights of aestheticism, and to the depths of decadence, The Picture of Dorian Gray is not only a melodrama about moral corruption. Laced with bon mots and vivid depictions of upper-class refinement, it is also a fascinating look at the milieu of Wilde’s fin-de-siècle world and a manifesto of the creed “Art for Art’s Sake.”
The ever-quotable Wilde, who once delighted London with his scintillating plays, scandalized readers with this, his only novel. Upon publication, Dorian was condemned as dangerous, poisonous, stupid, vulgar, and immoral, and Wilde as a “driveling pedant.” The novel, in fact, was used against Wilde at his much-publicized trials for “gross indecency,” which led to his imprisonment and exile on the European continent. Even so, The Picture of Dorian Gray firmly established Wilde as one of the great voices of the Aesthetic movement, and endures as a classic that is as timeless as its hero.
Hi Everyone,
My February (maybe March too..)resolution is to be organised, I'm even surprising myself now, Dorian Gray must have had an effect on me.
I would like to suggest a couple of books for our next chat, afterwards it would be up to you all to choose, or suggest another book.
I found these short stories on Amazon.fr
The Oxford Book of English Short Stories
Descriptions du produit
Booklist
Byatt, one of the most distinguished contemporary British fiction writers, lends a definite knowledge of the field to her gathering of outstanding short stories from her native land, all written at some point between the mid-nineteenth century and the present. She includes necessary masters--Rudyard Kipling, Saki, D. H. Lawrence, and V. S. Pritchett, to name a few. But, bless her good taste and reading experience, she draws into the fold the work of several extremely talented writers of which few readers on this side of the Atlantic will have heard. Falling into this category are such writers as Malachi Whitaker, H. E. Bates, Sylvia Townsend Warner, and Charlotte Mew. The difference between a Charles Dickens story and one by the very contemporary Ian McEwan is no difference at all in terms of talent with the form. Fans of the short story will be delighted by what they discover here. Brad Hooper
OR
I am a big fan of Neil Gaiman, furthermore, I have this book, so there would be plenty of time to pass it round*
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8 internautes sur 8 ont trouvé ce commentaire utile :
 Attention, chronophage en vadrouille., 8 février 2008 |
It was great to see Michele once again among us, please come next time. I hope Marie Christine will be able to make it next time, it was lovely to see you with the children in tow, and lets not forget dear Nicole, we missed you too!
Next chat is Friday 3rd April.
Cheers et bonnes vacances à tous
Maria Ledoux
PS The next cine club is planned for the 14th March at the Mediatheque. Anne and Shirley will be hosting the afternoon's entertainment/discussion, I hope that you will be able to attend. The film will be This is England, unfortunately I haven't seen it, however to wet your taste buds I found this synopsis on Amazon UK
Set during the summer of 1983, THIS IS ENGLAND is the poignant story of Shaun (Thomas Turgoos) an unpopular kid who discovers a sense of belonging among a group of peaceful skinheads. Having lost his father during the Falklands Conflict, Shaun sees something of a father figure in Woody (Joseph Gilgun), the gang's leader. However, the warmth and affection is short-lived, as Combo (Stephen Graham) – a former member of the group, and radical right-wing racist is released from prison and divides the friends with his deeply disturbed outlook. Whereas Woody had strived to bring everyone together through their love of music, Combo seeks to mobilise a force, with his sights set on spreading chaos and hatred. At only 12 years of age, and of volatile frame of mind, Shaun is susceptible to Combo's charismatic, yet gravely dangerous philosophising. As adulthood beckons and with Combo's rage manifesting into stark violence, Shaun will have to decide which side of the line he's going to stand. The sixth feature from writer/Director Shane Meadows (A ROOM FOR ROMEO BRASS, DEAD MAN’S SHOES), THIS IS ENGLAND is a bitter-sweet rites of passage tale that is destined to be remembered for years to come.
I shall be happy to chat with you again in April, until then I'll leave in with a couple of Oscar Wilde's quotes:
To disagree with three-fourths of the British public is one of the first requisites of sanity.
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.
And D H Lawrence just for good measure.
Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot.
I can never decide whether my dreams are the result of my thoughts, or my thoughts the result of my dreams. (an intriguing one .......)
