How to Enjoy The Portrait of Dorian Gray as an Audiobook - Find the Best Narrators and Versions of the Audiobook Torrent
H3: The author and his style H3: The reception and legacy of the novel H2: Why listen to The Portrait of Dorian Gray as an audiobook? H3: The benefits of audiobooks H3: The best narrators and versions of the audiobook H3: How to download and listen to the audiobook torrent H2: Conclusion Table 2: Article with HTML formatting The Portrait of Dorian Gray Audiobook Torrent: A Classic Novel in a Modern Format
If you are looking for a captivating and thought-provoking novel to listen to, you might want to consider The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. This classic masterpiece of Gothic fiction explores the themes of beauty, morality, art, and corruption in Victorian society. In this article, we will tell you more about the novel, why you should listen to it as an audiobook, and how to download and enjoy the audiobook torrent.
the portrait of dorian gray audiobook torrent
What is The Portrait of Dorian Gray?
The Portrait of Dorian Gray is a novel by Oscar Wilde, first published in 1890. It tells the story of a young and handsome man named Dorian Gray, who becomes obsessed with his own beauty after seeing a portrait of himself painted by his friend Basil Hallward. He makes a Faustian bargain that his portrait will age and bear the marks of his sins, while he will remain young and beautiful forever. However, as he indulges in a life of hedonism and immorality, he realizes that his portrait is not only a reflection of his appearance, but also his soul.
The plot and themes of the novel
The novel begins with Basil Hallward introducing his friend Lord Henry Wotton to his latest masterpiece: a portrait of Dorian Gray. Lord Henry is fascinated by Dorian's beauty and innocence, and decides to influence him with his cynical and decadent worldview. He tells Dorian that beauty is the only thing worth pursuing in life, and that he should enjoy his youth before it fades away. Dorian is impressed by Lord Henry's words, and wishes that his portrait would age instead of him.
Dorian then meets Sibyl Vane, a young actress who performs Shakespeare plays in a poor theater. He falls in love with her and proposes to marry her. However, when he brings Basil and Lord Henry to see her perform, he is disappointed by her acting. He realizes that she has lost her passion for art because of her love for him. He cruelly rejects her and leaves her heartbroken. The next day, he learns that she has committed suicide.
Dorian feels no remorse for his actions, but notices that his portrait has changed slightly: it now shows a hint of cruelty in his expression. He realizes that his wish has come true, and that his portrait will bear the consequences of his deeds. He decides to hide the portrait in his attic, and follow Lord Henry's advice to seek new sensations and pleasures.
The novel then skips 18 years, during which Dorian has become notorious for his scandalous and corrupt behavior. He remains young and beautiful, while his portrait grows more hideous and monstrous with every sin he commits. He becomes addicted to opium, blackmails his former friends, and even commits murder. He also develops an interest in a mysterious yellow book that describes the decadent life of a French aristocrat. The book becomes his guide and inspiration for his experiments in vice.
The climax of the novel occurs when Basil Hallward confronts Dorian about his reputation and asks to see his portrait. Dorian shows him the portrait, which has become so distorted that it is barely recognizable as him. Basil is horrified by what he sees, and begs Dorian to repent and change his ways. Dorian, however, blames Basil for his fate, and kills him with a knife. He then blackmails an old friend, Alan Campbell, to dispose of the body.
Dorian feels no relief from his crime, but rather a growing sense of fear and guilt. He wonders if he can still redeem himself, and decides to test his theory by sparing the life of a young girl he had planned to seduce. He then looks at his portrait, hoping to see a sign of improvement. To his dismay, he sees that the portrait has become even more loathsome, and that it now bears a smirk of hypocrisy. He realizes that his act of kindness was not sincere, but only motivated by vanity and curiosity.
In a fit of rage and despair, he decides to destroy the portrait, which he believes is the source of his troubles. He grabs the same knife he used to kill Basil, and stabs the portrait in the heart. However, as he does so, he lets out a cry of pain and falls dead on the floor. His servants hear the noise and break into the room. They find the portrait, restored to its original beauty, and a withered old man lying on the floor with a knife in his heart. They recognize the man as Dorian Gray only by his rings.
The author and his style
Oscar Wilde was an Irish writer, poet, and playwright who lived from 1854 to 1900. He was one of the most prominent figures of the Aesthetic Movement, which advocated art for art's sake and rejected moral and social constraints. He was also known for his wit, flamboyance, and homosexuality.
Wilde wrote The Portrait of Dorian Gray as his only novel, and it reflects his views on art, beauty, morality, and society. He used a Gothic style to create a dark and suspenseful atmosphere, and incorporated elements of fantasy, horror, and satire. He also used symbolism, allegory, and irony to convey his messages and critique Victorian values.
The novel was controversial when it was first published, as it was seen as immoral and corrupting by many critics and readers. Wilde was accused of promoting hedonism, homosexuality, and aestheticism, and of insulting the British upper class. He defended his work by saying that it was not meant to be realistic or didactic, but rather a work of imagination and beauty.
The reception and legacy of the novel
Despite the initial criticism, The Portrait of Dorian Gray became a classic of English literature and one of Wilde's most popular works. It has been adapted into various media, including films, plays, musicals, operas, comics, and video games. It has also influenced many other writers and artists, such as H.P. Lovecraft, J.D. Salinger, Chuck Palahniuk, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, and Lana Del Rey.
The novel is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Gothic fiction and a profound exploration of human nature. It raises questions about the relationship between art and life, beauty and morality, appearance and reality, and individuality and society. It also challenges the reader to reflect on their own values and choices.
Why listen to The Portrait of Dorian Gray as an audiobook?
If you are interested in reading The Portrait of Dorian Gray, you might want to consider listening to it as an audiobook instead. There are many benefits of audiobooks that can enhance your experience of this novel.
The benefits of audiobooks
Audiobooks are convenient and accessible. You can listen to them anytime and anywhere: while driving, walking, working out, cooking, cleaning, or relaxing. You don't need to carry a physical book or an e-reader with you; you just need a device that can play audio files or stream online content.
Audiobooks are also engaging and immersive. You can hear the voice of the narrator or the actors who perform the characters' dialogues. You can feel their emotions and expressions through their tone and inflection. You can also enjoy the sound effects and music that accompany the story. You can imagine yourself in the world of the novel more vividly.
Audiobooks are also educational and informative. You can learn new words and phrases by hearing them pronounced correctly. You can also improve your listening comprehension skills by following the plot and dialogues. You can also gain more insight into the author's style and intentions by hearing how he or she uses language.
The best narrators and versions of the audiobook
There are many narrators and versions of The Portrait of Dorian Gray audiobook available online. Some are free to download for free, some are paid or require a subscription. Some are unabridged, meaning they include the entire text of the novel, while some are abridged, meaning they are shortened or simplified. Some are solo narrated, meaning they have one voice actor for the whole story, while some are multi-cast, meaning they have different voice actors for different characters.
Here are some of the best narrators and versions of The Portrait of Dorian Gray audiobook that you can find online:
Russell Tovey: This version is an exclusive collaboration between Audible and Stonewall, a British LGBT charity, to mark the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in the UK. Tovey is a TV, film, and stage actor who starred in the film adaptation of Dorian Gray in 2009. He delivers a captivating and nuanced performance that captures the tone and mood of the novel. This version is unabridged and costs $12.95 or one credit on Audible.
Ben Barnes: This version is part of the Penguin Classics series, which features some of the most iconic works of literature. Barnes is also a TV, film, and stage actor who starred in the film adaptation of Dorian Gray in 2009. He has a smooth and elegant voice that suits the style and setting of the novel. This version is unabridged and costs $13.49 or one credit on Google Play.
Simon Prebble: This version is part of the Blackstone Audio collection, which offers high-quality audiobooks for various genres. Prebble is a veteran narrator who has won several awards for his work. He has a rich and expressive voice that brings out the drama and suspense of the novel. This version is unabridged and costs $16.95 or one credit on Audible.
Michael Sheen: This version is part of the Naxos Audiobooks collection, which specializes in classical and literary audiobooks. Sheen is a renowned actor who has played many roles on stage, screen, and radio. He has a versatile and charismatic voice that conveys the personality and emotions of the characters. This version is abridged and costs $19.99 or one credit on Audible.
Greg Wise: This version is part of the Audible Signature Classics series, which features some of the best narrators for some of the best books. Wise is an actor who has appeared in many films and TV shows, including Sense and Sensibility and The Crown. He has a clear and refined voice that matches the elegance and wit of Wilde's writing. This version is unabridged and costs $16.99 or one credit on Audible.
How to download and listen to the audiobook torrent
If you want to download and listen to The Portrait of Dorian Gray audiobook torrent for free, you will need to follow these steps:
Find a reliable torrent site that offers audiobooks. Some examples are AudioBook Bay, My Anonamouse, Audiobook Torrents, and AudioBook Boom.
Search for The Portrait of Dorian Gray audiobook torrent on the site. You can filter by language, format, quality, size, seeders, leechers, etc.
Select the torrent file that matches your preferences and download it to your device.
Open the torrent file with a torrent client software that can handle audio files. Some examples are BitTorrent, uTorrent, Vuze, qBittorrent, etc.
Wait for the torrent to finish downloading. The speed will depend on your internet connection and the number of seeders and leechers.
Once downloaded, you can play the audiobook file with any audio player software that can handle mp3 or m4b files. Some examples are VLC Media Player, iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc.
Enjoy listening to The Portrait of Dorian Gray audiobook torrent!
Conclusion
The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a classic novel that explores the themes of beauty, morality, art, and corruption in Victorian society. It tells the story of a young and handsome man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty, and the consequences of his actions. It is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that challenges the reader to reflect on their own values and choices.
One of the best ways to experience this novel is to listen to it as an audiobook. Audiobooks are convenient, engaging, and educational. They allow you to hear the voice of the narrator or the actors who perform the characters' dialogues. They also allow you to enjoy the sound effects and music that accompany the story. They also allow you to learn new words and phrases by hearing them pronounced correctly.
There are many narrators and versions of The Portrait of Dorian Gray audiobook available online. Some are free, some are paid or require a subscription. Some are unabridged, some are abridged. Some are solo narrated, some are multi-cast. You can choose the one that suits your preferences and budget.
You can also download and listen to The Portrait of Dorian Gray audiobook torrent for free, if you know how to use torrent sites and software. However, you should be careful of the legal and ethical issues involved in downloading copyrighted content without permission.
Whatever version or method you choose, we hope you enjoy listening to The Portrait of Dorian Gray audiobook!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about The Portrait of Dorian Gray audiobook:
Q: Is The Portrait of Dorian Gray a true story?
A: No, The Portrait of Dorian Gray is a fictional story that was inspired by a classic Faustian legend and Wilde's own imagination.
Q: What is the yellow book that Dorian reads in the novel?
A: The yellow book that Dorian reads in the novel is never explicitly named, but it is widely believed to be A Rebours (Against Nature) by Joris-Karl Huysmans, a French novel that describes the decadent life of a bored aristocrat.
Q: What is the moral of The Portrait of Dorian Gray?
A: The moral of The Portrait of Dorian Gray is that beauty is not everything, and that one should not sacrifice their soul for it. It also warns against the dangers of hedonism, narcissism, and influence.
Q: How does The Picture of Dorian Gray end?
A: The Picture of Dorian Gray ends with Dorian stabbing his portrait in an attempt to destroy it, but instead killing himself. His servants find his body, aged and withered, with a knife in his heart. His portrait is restored to its original beauty.
Q: Where can I find more information about Oscar Wilde and his works?
A: You can find more information about Oscar Wilde and his works on various websites, such as The Oscar Wilde Society, The Oscar Wilde Collection, The British Library, and Wikipedia.
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