The Picture of Dorian Gray is the only published novel by Oscar Wilde. It first appeared in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in June 1890. The magazine's editors feared the story was indecent and censored roughly 500 words, but it was nevertheless greeted with outrage. Wilde later revised the story for book publication, making substantial alterations and including an aphoristic Preface that has since become famous in its own right. The amended version was published by Ward Lock & Co in April 1891.

Dorian Gray is an exceptionally good-looking young aristocrat sitting for his portrait by the well-known painter Basil Hallward. Basil depicts him as a figure from Greek mythology and confides to his friend Lord Henry Wotten that perhaps too much feeling is being conveyed in the work. The louche Lord Henry demurs, praising the work and upsetting Dorian at their first meeting with a cautionary speech about the transience of youth and beauty. Dorian curses the picture, wishing it would age as he stays forever young. Dorian becomes a disciple of Lord Henry’s “new Hedonism” and falls in love with actress Sibyl Vane, who forsakes theatrical love for the real thing, prompting Dorian to break his engagement. Sibyl kills herself and Dorian sinks into a life of debauchery, yet maintains his social standing due to his timeless beauty. Eventually Basil confronts Dorian, who shows him the decay evident in the hidden portrait. Basil beseeches him to repent his misbehavior, which prompts a fit of rage with a tragic outcome. Sibyl’s brother attempts to avenge her death, but is accidentally shot. Dorian tries and fails to change, and in a fit of madness attempts to destroy the unfortunate portrait, which, of course, has the last word and deed.