The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - Another Book Classic I Just Couldn't Like

The Great American Read quest continues for me with Oscar Wilde's "scandalous" 1891 classic "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Oh, dear. I'm starting to wonder if it's just me or if many of the books on the list are mostly hype.

Most people are already familiar with the premise of this book. A young man, who suddenly becomes vain after a brief conversation about youth with an older blowhard of a man, wishes that his recently rendered portrait would age instead of him. His conceit leads him to commit a series of dastardly immoral and illegal acts, and in less than 200 pages he receives his comeuppance.

How can I possibly describe how much I disliked this book? It was painfully clear that nearly every character in this book was merely regurgitating Wilde’s self-important views on EVERYTHING. 

I cared not one iota for anyone here. I didn’t care who aged, who was captivatingly handsome, who “secretly” (aka, not at all secretly) desired who. Sheesh, was this a rambling flowery flowerbed of ridiculous nonsense, which was quite possibly why my copy included a Text Summary at the end – so readers could make some sense out of the ramblings.

I’d almost venture to say that Lord Henry Wotton was like a 19th century Truman Capote, but that would be an insult to Capote, who actually liked and respected women. Wotton’s (aka Wilde’s) dislike of women was apparent: “My dear boy, no woman is a genius. Women are a decorative sex.” His fondness for the same sex was obvious. His frequent “flouncing" himself onto furniture was, well, overdone and unnecessary. Egad, so very scandalous.

This book was published in 1891, and like the picture of Dorian Gray, it hasn’t aged well over the years. The scandal factor is no more. Yes, it’s supposed to be ever so deeply cerebral and overflowing with poignancy. The main premise is compelling, but I just didn’t like being forced to wade through pages and pages of blah, blah, blah to get to the point. I should have skipped right to the Text Summary and saved myself the time and aggravation.

Once again this was another classic that made me say, HUH? Why all the rave reviews? I have to give it a big fat NO.

1 of 5 Stars, Susan Barton, DIY Mom Blog

Classic Children's Novel "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett Book Review - Mother/Daughter Book Club Choice

If you've read The Secret Garden as a child I'd suggest revisiting it as an adult. It's packed with lovely life lessons and encouraging messages for both children and adults. It'd be a wonderful book choice for a Mother/Daughter Book Club!

This book is a well-loved classic, written in 1909. I read it while in elementary school and when I saw there was a one-day free promotion in progress, I decided to grab the eBook copy. Re-reading The Secret Garden as an adult certainly gave me a better perspective on the book’s message.

Mary Lennox is a sour, angry ten-year-old child who lives in India and spends her days alone and left to her own devices. Mary is a pale, thin and plain child who is so disagreeable that the family’s house servants have little to do with her. Even her socialite mother has little time for Mary, as she leaves her in the care of a string of Ayahs (nannies). When she’s orphaned after a cholera outbreak, Mary is sent to Yorkshire, England to live in a sprawling mansion with an uncle she’s never met. Once there, she makes friends with a friendly housemaid, Martha, her brother, Dickon, and then accidentally stumbles on her cousin – a purported invalid and equally disagreeable ten-year-old boy named Colin. The unlikely group of friends embark on a magical and life-changing journey.

There are several lovely, positive and powerful messages contained in The Secret Garden. The most important message being that we all have the ability to choose to be either happy and upbeat or angry and sad. As the children cultivate and revive the secret garden, they are also cultivating and reviving a brand new and happier feeling of well being within themselves. As they begin working together toward their mutual goal of developing the garden, they realize how important companionship is for their health and growth.

There are definite “religious”, spiritual and magical undertones going on in this book. It’s been reported that the author’s interest in metaphysics and the New Thought movement were likely the reason for this. Whatever the motivation, I thoroughly enjoyed the magical elements in The Secret Garden. I would highly recommend The Secret Garden for children and adults!

5 of 5 Stars, review by Susan Barton and originally posted to eBook Review Gal.

What Life Lessons Can We Learn from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens?

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has always been one of my favorite stories of all time. Who wouldn’t like to be comforted by the notion that anyone can change at any point in their life? Even a grumpy curmudgeon like Ebenezer Scrooge is capable of seeing the error of his ways and of making a miraculous transition with the assistance of four sage and caring spirits.

Bob Welch has taken the basis of A Christmas Carol to insightfully list 52 inspirational lessons readers can learn from this charming classic. There’s something for everyone in the pages of this book. Regardless of what you might be struggling with in your life at any given moment, I’m certain just about anyone will find value in Mr. Welch’s “lessons”.

52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol is most definitely a faith-based book. The author refers to Biblical scripture throughout, when laying out his lessons. Therefore, I would consider this book a Christian devotional, suitable for anyone looking to get closer to God, and to live a happier and more Christian-based life. It would make for wonderful church group literature, to be used by adults and children. Families should appreciate reading this together during the Christmas season or at anytime throughout the year. Highly recommended!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.