The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

This was Wilde's only novel.  It was originally published as a short novel, then expanded, and toned down to make it "more acceptable" to the Victorian Audience of the day.  Not that it helped much, as it was derided as containing "one element...which will taint every young mind that comes in contact with it."  Everyone, and their servants, read it.

The story follows Dorian Gray, a beautiful young man.  His portrait is painted by the gifted Basil Hallward.  Upon seeing the finished work for the first time, Dorian heartily wished with all his heart that he could trade his soul to have the painting age and he remain forever young and beautiful.

Of course nothing happened; at first.  Dorian found himself in the social circle of Lord Henry Watton, a cynical and sensual notable wit.  His wanton ways inspire Dorian.

Following in his wicked ways, the young man finds an orchid growing in the gutter; Sybil Vane is an actress doing Shakespeare on the cheap boards.  They start an affair, but Sybil's talent extended from her love of theater, and as she loves Dorian, her talent vanishes.  Dorian dumps her, disgusted that her art has fled her.  She commits suicide.

And the portrait develops a hint of a sneer.  Dorian realizes that his wish has been granted.  He plunges headlong into a life of decadence.

Basil, who worships the lad, asks him if the rumors are true.  And Gray, callus and hard, admits the truth, and shows Basil what has become of his masterpiece.  He then kills Basil, partly blaming him for the strange curse that protects and haunts him.

He remains fresh faced and angelic, and no one can believe the whispered gossip of his secret life.  This effect saves him from the revenge of James Vane, Sybil's brother.  Determined to punish the man who ruined his sister, he is fooled when Gray claims to have been too young to have destroyed her eighteen years before.

Dorian escapes, but Vane is enlightened by a doxy as to Gray's peculiar gift.  Now a hunter knows his face.  And Dorian can see the full scope of his corruption, painted large on the canvas, inescapable in its stillness.  And it is destroying him.

The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of the last Gothic Romantic Horror stories.  It is also one of the best.  Though tame in a world with "Guys Gone Wild!" videos, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a classic.  The toned down homoeroticism sometimes has to be pointed out today's jaded youth, but in the day, it was exactly as much as the market would bear.  Wilde makes light of the social conventions of the time through his hero, yet destroys him messily when his own excesses have consumed his soul.  How odd that the horror Gray suffered was what Wilde desired most, and their ends were brought about by the same addiction to pushing fate just a bit too far.

This review, like Dorian is Lean-N-Vain, urm, Mean.  It is 500 words exactly.

The Lavender Quill
Gay Non-Fiction

Is It a Choice?
The Martian Child
What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality
Gay Tales of the Samurai


Gay Fiction.

Son of a Witch
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Raised by Wolves: Brethern
Raised by Wolves: Matelots
Raised by Wolves: Treasure
Raised by Wolves: Wolves
Master of Seacliff 
Ransom
Forbidden Colours
Lord John and the Private Matter
Lord John and the Hand of Devils
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade

Comics and Graphic Novels

Side by Side
Fogtown
Black Wade: The Wild Side of Love
The Authority: Prime
Hellblazer: Highwater
Midnighter: Anthem
Midnighter: Killing Machine
Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather
Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather (part 2)

Recommended: Yes