What I'm Reading: The Picture of Dorian Gray - Review

The Picture of Dorian Gray 

Oscar Wilde

‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ (1891) was the only novel written by Oscar Wilde and follows the story of the young and handsome Dorian Gray. Dorian Gray, at the beginning of the novel, has a portrait of himself painted and he is confronted with the true extent of his beauty. After a conversation with the easy-going Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian is fearful of what will happen to him when his beauty leaves him and old age takes its place. He makes a wish, that “If it were I who were to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old” which is fulfilled. Dorian Gray proceeds to live a life of immorality, with the portrait acting as a constant reminder of the effect of his sins and debauchery on his soul until he becomes tormented by his own behaviour and the novel comes to a sombre but thrilling end.

I truly enjoyed reading this thought provoking novel that makes you think about what would happen if people were not called into check by the consequences of their own actions and if they had no idea of empathy but were instead allowed to run riot and do whatever they feel like. Dorian, throughout the majority of the novel, is not haunted by his own misdemeanours and instead is thankful that he has license to act as he wishes and enjoys watching the painting change as he remains young and beautiful and is allowed to turn his back on the painting and continue with his self-indulgent behaviour. The ending of the novel however is a message to the reader that this type of selfish and hedonistic behaviour will catch up with you in the end, and although the ending was not a ‘happy ending’ as one is pleased to read in most novels, it is certainly one which leaves an imprint on you.

Right from the first page of this book, I was amazed by the eloquent and rich writing style of Oscar Wilde. Although this book is filled with brilliant descriptive passages, it does not, at any point, become dull to read. The dialogue between characters is pleasant although it is at times shocking to read the views and opinions such as those of Lord Henry Wotton, who tells the easily influenced Dorian Gray that the only way to resist temptation is to yield to it, to experience everything without experiencing any remorse or consequences, and that the most important thing is beauty. These views would be frowned upon by most people but I found them thrilling to read and Lord Henry’s appearances in the novel soon became something that I looked forward to.

After reading this book, I would today rank it among my favourites. The story is captivating and exciting and the grave and dramatic ending to the story makes you understand the meaning of ‘Be careful what you wish for’ a little more than you did before.

What I'm Reading: The 10PM Question - Review

The 10pm Question

Kate de Goldi

Frankie Parsons is ‘twelve going on eighty’. Whilst growing up in New Zealand, his mind is overflowing with fears and worries about almost everything; are the smoke alarm batteries flat? Is the kidney shaped rash on his chest cancer? Does the cat have worms? Every night, at 10pm, he wanders into his mother’s room and hopes that she can calm his fears – but Frankie’s mother isn’t doing too well herself. Frankie doesn’t know why his mother hasn’t left the house in almost a decade, or why he lived away from home with ‘the aunties’ for the first part of his life, or why the only thing that reminds him of his mother is a caged bird. It isn’t until Sydney, the colourful, confident and creative new girl with dreads and handmade clothes comes along, that he begins to realise that his family isn’t as normal as he thought.

Along the four months that The 10pm Question is set, Frankie, with the help of his best friends Sydney and Gigs, also a free spirit, who doesn’t worry about  the threat of terrorism or McDonalds taking over the world, Frankie slowly becomes conscious of the rodent voice in his head which is driving him gradually insane. He is imprisoned in the set-in-stone routine of his life, and he can’t seem to let go of it.

The 10pm Question is written brilliantly, with subtle humour from a young boy who isn’t completely sure whether his best friend is actually his girlfriend. Kate de Goldi’s writing touches on the topics of OCD and mental illness through the mind of a child who doesn’t understand it himself. His innocence leaves the reader unable to put down the book, and wondering whether or not Frankie Parsons will be able to fight the ‘freak-out gene’.

What I'm Reading: Forgotten

FORGOTTEN

CAT PATRICK

“He’s not in my memory, which means he’s not in my future.”

London Lane remembers her future in the way that we remember our past – she could tell you what you will wear next week, but not what she was wearing last night. Every morning her mind wipes out the memories of the day she has just lived, forcing her to write notes to remind her future self of her own past. But when London meets the Luke Henry from Boston, she is confused as to why he isn’t appearing in her notes, and even as time goes on and their relationship grows, she still cannot remember him in her future. In the meantime, she is being plagued with 'memories' of a funeral – is it her father, who she hasn’t seen or heard from in years?

Or could it be Luke’s? Is that why he isn’t in her memory?

I think that Forgotten has a compelling and clever storyline, and it’s very well written, but I think that the plot would have been more believable if it leaned a little more towards the fantasy-science fiction genre than simple teen fiction. I simply couldn’t take the backwards memory ‘thing’ seriously when it was treated as a medical condition, maybe I was just too – I don’t know –closed minded while reading this book. I definitely think I would have taken the whole thing a little more seriously if London’s brain was strange because of a supernatural cause.

Now, I’m not the biggest fan of teen romance books, it all becomes too much about the couple having a perfect, rosy relationship and there isn’t enough emphasis on the actual storyline, or writers will put all their efforts into describing how in love their characters are instead of letting their actions speak for themselves. I felt that I had this problem while reading this book. However, I did put that behind me, and just ignored my general dislike of novels dripping with romance and not enough story-telling.

London is a very likable character, and any teenager who has had to stand up to a friend will relate to London’s relationship with her best friend Jamie, the only person except London’s mother who knows of her condition. Another intriguing plot of the storyline is London’s relationship with Luke, as every day for London is as though she has just met him. Every morning, she wakes up to read about her boyfriend, and every day, she falls in love with him – but is Luke keeping something from her

What sold the book to me was the way that London doesn’t let her backwards memory get in her way. When she sees how her best friend’s relationship will end in sorrow, she doesn’t allow her future to be decided for her, but instead sets out on a mission to put it to a stop. And when she learns about a hidden mystery from her past that tore her family apart, she takes it upon herself to use her ability to see to future to put right her wrongs.

What I'm Reading: I Heart New York - Review

I Heart New York

Lindsey Kelk

“It’s official. Angela Clark is in love – with the most fabulous city in the world.”

As is every other girl, that’s why this book is so enjoyable. Angela flees her uneventful London life after it is left in tatters when she finds her boyfriend in bed with another woman! She spontaneously boards a plane to New York City and begins to live the dream every girl wants. She gets a New York makeover from her new best friend, New York girl Jenny, and spends her ex’s cash on designer clothes, shoes and her new love, a wonderful Marc Jacobs bag. 

And of course, the romance. With a new look and great clothes, she is soon grabbing the attention of quite a few men. Her love interests are complete opposites, charming wealthy banker and a scruffy but gorgeous rockstar. What more could a girl want? Oh, of course; living in a top hotel with room service, and fantastic clothes.

Lindsey Kelk's writing style makes for a fun, relaxed read. You're following Angela as she deals with all the sudden changes in her life, and on top of it all, the decision of whether she wants to actually stay in the Big Apple. This decision gets even harder when she's offered the chance of a lifetime - to write a blog for The Look, about her life in New York, about all the best hang outs, about her love life, about her beloved clothes! Will she go back to her monotonous, dreary life in London, or will she take all the opportunities coming her way and stay? I know what I would do, what about you?

So, overall what makes this book great? Angela Clark is a heroine, who is living the dream all because of one risky choice to board a plane; New York is paradise filled with great clothes, restaurants and of course, the guys are dreamy, the stuff of movies. Think along the lines of The Devil Wears Prada, but with more humour and in my opinion, even better characters. I hope this book follows the example of The Devil Wears Prada and snags itself a movie deal. And soon! 

Also to read, the sequels: I Heart Hollywood and I Heart Paris.

Perfect for fans of: The Devil Wears Prada, Sex and the City, Sophie Kinsella books.