Classic Novel Received Negative Reviews upon Its Publication

Artist Griffith Robert Littlehale possesses experience developing advertising content for various projects and now accepts commissions from clients in need of graphic design work. In his free time, Griffith Littlehale reads novels and poetry by several authors, including Oscar Wilde who wrote the gothic novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. The novel tells the story of a man obsessed with eternal youth.

An Irish poet, author, and playwright, Wilde attended Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and Magdalen College in Oxford, England. The writer saw more success writing comedic plays, such as ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’ and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest.’ The only novel he ever wrote, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray,’ faced a negative reception from critics after its initial release.

First published in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine in 1890, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ earned condemnation from critics, calling it “unclean” and “nasty,” among other negative adjectives. In the years since, the book has appeared on numerous lists of the best books ever written, including 100 Best Novels published in 2014 by The Guardian.