06 April 2012

Victorian Controversies, 1891: Homosexuality (Revised and Expanded)

Trade paperback, 229 pages
Published 2006 (originally 1891)
Acquired January 2007

Previously read February 2007
Reread March 2012
The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde

As an experiment, I chose to reread the 1891 novel edition of The Picture of Dorian Gray after reading the "uncensored" version edited by Nicholas Frankel for the first time.  Of course, the toned-down references to homosexuality stuck out a lot, but the other change made for this version was the addition of a few chapters.  I don't think these really do a whole lot.  One gives Dorian's background in greater detail, but who cares?  Another gives us more of a look at Sybil Vane, but I feel that giving her a backstory undermines the point of her character.

On the upside, it's certainly more portable than the 2011 version of the 1890 edition.

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