The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

 The Picture of Dorian Gray

by Oscar Wilde

Hi :) Today I'm reviewing a book I read for the second time, because, let's be honest, is amazing. 

Check out my last review about The Life Before Us of March :)

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The book of today is The Picture of Dorian Gray by the Irish writer Oscar Wilde. 

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The novel was easy to read since it doesn't use so many harsh words, and most of the foreigner ones (ex. he uses some German, Italian and French words) are written with notes below to explain the meaning. 

It is the story of a young and easily corrupted man, Dorian Gray, who is sitting for a portrait made by the painter Basil Hallward. This one is so impressed by Dorian's charm and beauty that he feels like he's making the painting come alive for how stunning he is. 

Through Basil, Dorian will meet, Lord Henry Wotton, a dandy and aristocrat who believes in a philosophy of self-indulgent hedonism. Beauty and sensual fulfilment are the only important things in life. 

Because of this meeting, Dorian expresses that he would like to sell his soul if he could stay young forever, but that the picture instead, would age at his place. 

The wish comes true, though, making him appear always young, even after 18 years from the beginning of the story, while the portrait is getting older and showing every sin ever committed by him. 

Will he be able to redeem himself and start acting good again? Or is his soul already damned? 

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I loved it just as the first time I read it. It's a true masterpiece and never gets old, just like Dorian's figure. 

It's the modern recreation of the Faust's myth. 

It's a really short book, so it can be easily read even in one day or two and it's totally worth it. 

Many adaptations were done from it, movies, tv series and even musicals. 

The Life Before Us by Romain Gary/Emile Ajar

The Life Before Us

by Romain Gary/Emile Ajar

Hey, hope you're all doing great :) Today I'm going to review a book that has been recommended to me from my French friend that also recommended me Purple Hibiscus and Ten Days in a Madhouse.  (Check out my recent reviews of them both :) )

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The book of today is The Life Before Us (originally in French: La Vie Devant Soi) by the French author Romain Gary, with the pseudonym of Emile Ajar. 

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The novel was really easy to read, even though I read it in French. It was way easier than the Purple Hibiscus, because it's not so full of slang words, but mostly the "school French". 

It's the story of Momo, a Muslim boy of around 10 years old of age, who lives under the roof of Madame Rosa, an Holocaust survivor Jewish woman. Momo's parents abandoned him and this Madame is being a sort of babysitter for orphan and abandoned children of parents that can't take care of them anymore, or don't have a place for them to live. 

The book revolves around him and the strong relationship she has with Madame Rosa that even though was just doing her job, will end up by being as a mother figure to him. 

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This one has been one of my favourites for this year because it has been a really enjoyable reading. 

I'm looking forward to see the new movie too, with Sophia Loren in the role of Madame Rosa, but I'm so afraid that it won't be as good as the book. 

The only part that really made me sad about it, was the ending, which of course, I'm not going to spoil, but it's totally unexpected :)

The Witches by Roald Dahl

The Witches

by Roald Dahl

Hi, sorry it's been a while I've written here, but I've been terribly busy and well, also not okay due to the current situation. Here's my new review for the new year :) Hopefully this one will bring more joy than the latest.

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Today I'm going to talk about the novel for kids The Witches, written by Roald Dahl. I have been wanting to read this book since a long time and finally had the chance when my boyfriend gifted it to me for Christmas. I literally devoured it in one week or less, because well, it's short and it was really interesting. 

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The book really surprised me in a good way. I've never read Roald Dahl's books before, so this was my first and I must say that I love his way of writings and how he described the events, especially the aspect of the witches.

The Grand High Witch was the scariest thing I've ever read so far. The description of her looks was so precise and accurate, you actually believe that you're in front of her at the moment you're reading.

I really loved the boy and Grandma characters, especially their connection. It made me remember of my nonna (Grandma in Italian), which I miss every day since she has been gone. Their special bond and the way how she taught him about witches made me appreciate the story even more.

The book I got even has illustration, which made the story more realistic, like you were actually there with them, hiding with the boy behind the curtains, spying on the witches' council :)

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So, to sum up, I give it a 10/10, because it's seriously not just for kids. If you want a good scare, this is what's good for you. 

Hi!

Hey everyone.

This is my first post in here.

My name is Alexis and I openeded this blog with the purpose of doing reviews about the books I'm reading and suggesting you the one I loved the most.

I've been reading all my life and I'm not planning to stop. Reading is what keeps your mind active and it lets you "enter" in worlds that seem to be completely ours. That's what I really like about it, other than the fact that it's relaxing, but also because you can be someone else for a while. Leave all that boring life that is surrounding you.

I also have a fan account for books on Instagram, if you want to check it out the name is: thegalaxybooks and I have a Goodreads account too, my username is: Ale N
If you want to follow some of my stories on Wattpad, here's the link: alexisb1997
You can also check out my Pinterest account: AleN1121997

Thanks for your time, and until next time.

Have a nice day.