The Uncensored Picture Of Dorian Gray [Paperback]

More than 120 years after Oscar Wilde submittedThe Picture of Dorian Grayfor publication inLippincotts Monthly Magazine, the uncensored version of his novel appears here for the first time in a paperback edition. This volume restores all of the material removed by the novels first editor.

Upon receipt of the typescript, Wildes editor panicked at what he saw. Contained within its pages was material he feared readers would find offensiveespecially instances of graphic homosexual content. He proceeded to go through the typescript with his pencil, cleaning it up until he made it acceptable to the most fastidious taste. Wilde did not see these changes until his novel appeared in print. Wildes editors concern was well placed. Even in its redacted form, the novel caused public outcry. The British press condemned it as vulgar, unclean, poisonous, discreditable, and a sham. When Wilde later enlarged the novel for publication in book form, he responded to his critics by further toning down its immoral elements.

Wilde famously said thatThe Picture of Dorian Graycontains much of me: Basil Hallward is what I think I am, Lord Henry what the world thinks me, and Dorian what I would like to bein other ages, perhaps. Wildes comment suggests a backward glance to a Greek or Dorian Age, but also a forward-looking view to a more permissive time than his own repressive Victorian era. By implication, Wilde would have preferred we read today the uncensored version of his novel.

Oscar Wilde just got a little wilder.The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Grayis the latest edition of Wilde's only novel, but it is also the first. Editor Nicholas Frankel has followed the manuscript Wilde submitted to Lippincott's magazine in early 1890. Frankel poured over the original typescript and about 3,000 handwritten words Wilde added to it, restoring subtle but important romance between the three lead characters& The effect is not rlSX