On its first publication <i>The Picture of Dorian Gray</i> was regarded as dangerously modern in its depiction of fin-de-si&egrave;cle decadence.<br /><br />In this celebrated work, his only novel, Wilde forged a devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on a young aesthete in late-19th-century England. Combining elements of the Gothic horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book centers on a striking premise: As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recently painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil, which he must keep hidden from the world. For over a century, this mesmerizing tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It ranks as one of Wilde&#39;s most important creations and among the classic achievements of its kind.<br />&nbsp;