Oscar Wilde 
The Picture of Dorian Gray 

Wrapped in controversy, the publication of ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ in 1891 was a milestone in world literature. The work was censored by publishers, who were afraid of shocking British morale with the publication, then scandalized and turned into evidence against the author himself in a lawsuit of moral aggression. But the qualities of the novel – the only one written by Oscar Wilde, famous for his plays – spoke louder and it is still fascinating to meet Dorian Gray, a character who lives a double life. He shows himself to society as an elegant and virtuous man, while secretly indulges in the most extreme hedonism, a result of selling his soul to ensure that he remains as handsome and youthful as his portrait, painted by his friend Basil Hallward, a young painter. Mixing the philosophical and the fantastical, this is Oscar Wilde’s sagacity at its best.

The ns_english collection features literary classics in their original language, putting the reader in direct contact with the words – and the legacy – of the greatest names of the world literature. Here you will find the integral text in English, enabling new interpretations, insights, and studies of works that have helped weave the history of the world – and that will be forever in our memories.

Circa l’autore

Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland, on October 16, 1854. He was a great Irish writer, his only novel, considered one of the most important works of English literature.

He wrote novels, poetry, children’s stories and dramas. He was a master at creating ironic and sarcastic phrases.