A Clock Work Orange and the Picture of Dorian Gray?

Question

I am in English 9 Honors. I'm in need of a mystery or suspense novel (or both). First of all, is the Picture of Dorian Gray classified in either of those genres? and second of all, would I actually want to read these books? A Clock Work Orange sounds pretty interesting but I'm afraid the language will be too hard understand completely. If anyone has read either of these, can you tell me if you enjoyed reading them or not?

Answer 1

Hi! I've read both books, cover to cover, several times. Picture of Dorian Gray isn't really a mystery nor a suspense novel, not until the end - it's more of a literary/philosophical thing. A Clockwork Orange is a little suspenseful, but not a mystery - it's classified as a "dystopia"; or a book - usually combining science fiction with ideas about what is morally right - based on the author's idea of a hellish world.

I suggest you go with A Clockwork Orange. The writing style is more current, and the story is more engaging and easier to follow. You can also treat yourself to the movie version, although it does differ from the book in several ways.

The weird words that Anthony Burgess uses are called "nadsat", and there are dictionaries online to help you translate - like here:

http://soomka.com/nadsat.html

Don't worry though, you'll be surprised how quickly you'll get used to the words.

Anyway, I'll be honest - I love it, but Picture of Dorian Gray is much tougher read. It can get boring or confusing, and it's hard to get certain parts if you don't already know about a lot of philosophy.

A Clockwork Orange, on the other hand, is a much easier and quicker read, and the story is really fascinating. It also brings up a cool question: if you came up with a special method of forcing people to be good, is that morally okay? Or should they choose to be good?

It also messes with your mind a little, because the main character at first seems like a terrible person who does awful things, but as the book progresses, you start to sympathize with him.

Also, there are a lot more resources online to help you with A Clockwork Orange, like this: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/clockworkorange/

Okay...it's one of my favourite books. ;-)

That's my suggestion!

Best of luck and happy reading!

PS> When in doubt, get to your library, and read a couple pages near the middle of both books. That'll help you make up your mind.

Answer 2

I believe they can both be considered mystery and/or suspense novels. I believe Dorian Gray was written in the 1870's and Clockwork Orange in the 1950's. If you will like either of them I don't know. If you want something more recent try Clive Cussler's novels, he wrote the novel that the movie "Sahara" was base on, which is actually part of a series about the main character Dirk Pitt. Tom Clancy also writes good novels, The Hunt For Red October is an excellent novel. Alistair MacLaine, I am note sure on the spelling of his name it has been years since I read his books, also wrote some good novels.

Answer 3

You will be doing yourself a disservice if you don't read Dorian Gray and Clock Work Orange. I love Dorian Gray. Since you're in honor's class, you'll have no problem with either, but my choice is Dorian Gray as I'm a huge fan of Oscar Wilde. All the best!

Answer 4

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY is definitely both mystery and suspense and also very much a horror novel. And you're right, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE is very difficult to understand because the author, Anthony Burgess, used his own unique lexicon (called Nadsat - 1). Try DORIAN. Even though it was written in the late 1800s, I've heard it's still a fascinating read.

Answer 5

I remember having a copy of "A Clock Work Orange " that had a glossary in the back, to translate nadsat, the slang of the book. The book is a must read, whether you enjoy it or not. Dobie do, my devochka?

PS The last sentence means, " do you agree, young lady ", though my spelling may be off.

Answer 6

I saw the movie A Clock Work Orange, and it is probably a good read. You don't need to really understand every word, the plot is obvious at least in the movie.

Answer 7

the picture of dorian gray could be considered suspense, and it's not hard to read. i haven't finished the book yet, but it's pretty good.

Answer 8

i read dorian gray. It it not really a thriller, and definitely not a mystery. just a guy who's dark side overtakes him, and he spirals downward into society.

Answer 9

A clockwork orange is really good. i didn't find it hard to understand at all. It is well worth reading. never heard of the other one, sorry.

Answer 10

DONT make them read dorian gray...we had to last year and it was just a big joke about a guy liking another guy...it was horrible...nobody in my clase appreciated it at all.

But i am horrible when it comes to english so just disreguard me.