The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde
English • Published 1890 • Public Domain • Free to stream
Oscar Wilde's only novel, first published in 1890, is a dazzling and disturbing masterpiece. Dorian Gray, a beautiful young man in Victorian London, makes a Faustian bargain: his portrait will age and bear the marks of his sins while he remains forever young and handsome. Under the corrupting influence of the witty Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian plunges into a life of excess and cruelty — while the portrait in the locked room grows ever more hideous. Sharp, seductive and deeply unsettling, it is one of the great gothic novels in the English language.
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About the book: The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray is an 1890 philosophical fiction and Gothic horror novel by Irish author Oscar Wilde. A shorter novella-length version was published in the July 1890 issue of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, while the novel-length version was published in April 1891. It is the only novel written by Wilde.
The story revolves around a portrait of Dorian Gray painted by Basil Hallward. Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton and becomes enthralled by the aristocrat's hedonistic worldview. Knowing that he will lose his beauty, Dorian impulsively chooses to sell his soul and asks for the portrait to age and fade instead of himself. Dorian pursues a libertine life while his portrait ages and visually records every one of his sins.
Oscar Wilde described an incident when he gave a sitting to a Canadian artist and said in jest that the portrait would never grow older while he would, which occurred to him as a capital plot for a story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Picture of Dorian Gray free to listen to?
Yes, completely free to stream — no account, no subscription, no ads.
Who wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray?
Oscar Wilde, first published in 1890.
Is The Picture of Dorian Gray in the public domain?
Yes, free to read, share, and listen to worldwide.
How long is The Picture of Dorian Gray to listen to?
The Picture of Dorian Gray takes approximately 8 hours to listen to in full.
When was The Picture of Dorian Gray written?
The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published in 1890. It is now in the public domain and free to stream.
Who narrates The Picture of Dorian Gray?
The Picture of Dorian Gray uses AI multi-voice narration. Each character has a distinct voice — narrators, heroes, villains and supporting characters all sound different, making it easy to follow the story.
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What genre is The Picture of Dorian Gray?
The Picture of Dorian Gray is Gothic Horror. It is a classic work of literature now in the public domain.