Oscar Wilde
This was one of those captivating books that I couldn’t put down. Dorian Gray, a young, beautiful socialite in England, is good-natured, friendly, and easily attracts friends. One day, while sitting for his picture, his friend Basil Hallward introduces him to Lord Henry Wotton. Through Basil and Lord Henry, Dorian learns of his incredible good looks, and becomes enchanted with a lifestyle obsessed with beauty. At about the same time, Dorian meets actress Sybil Vane, with whom he becomes enamored. He declares his love and desire to marry her, only to destroy her by completely when he realizes she’s not the artist he thought she was. The next time Dorian looks at the portrait painted for him by Basil, he notices it has an evil look to it. As he continues his descent into a truly evil lifestyle, the painting becomes hideous, reflecting every sin he commits, while Dorian himself retains his beauty and youth.