hm…one of my favorite books, immediate hesitation follows. Im a fan of Parker’s work on An Ideal Husband -where I think there was the perfect balance of Wilde’s wit and gravity, and to some extent The Important of Being Ernest -though I think there was too much liberty with the humor and lightness creating a slight mockery. But The Picture of Dorian Gray reaches a far greater depth and mystery than the other two pieces.

Im skeptical of Parker’s ability to maintain the simplicity and seriousness that is characteristic of the heavy darkness Wilde conveys in this book. It is one of Wilde’s best qualities in my opinion -the fact that it is dramatic, but not overly-theatrical. Wilde has a brilliant ability to convey the honest truth using both comedy and tragedy in a natural unified way. His work doesn’t slap humor or soorow on top of his story. He rather reveals what already is at the heart of human nature, interactions, and folly. Perhaps I judge ignorantly, so I look forward to seeing the film, and I hope to be proven wrong.