In this celebrated work, his only novel, Wilde forged a
devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on a young
aesthete in late-19th-century England. Combining elements of the Gothic
horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book centers on a striking
premise: As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross
sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recently
painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil, which
he must keep hidden from the world. For over a century, this mesmerizing
tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It ranks as
one of Wilde's most important creations and among the classic
achievements of its kind.