The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde - UPDATED REVIEW

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde  Genre : Classics Blurb (on back of book) : Oscar Wilde’s only novel is the dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. In this celebrated work 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's most important creations and among the classic achievements of its kind. UPDATED REVIEW MY OPINION : ****** I would like to start out this review by stating that this is undoubtedly m...
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Ways to Live Forever - Sally Nicholls

Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls
Genre: J Realistic Fiction

Blurb (on back of book): All Sam wants to know are the facts. Facts about UFOs, ghosts, what it's like to kiss a girl. He wants to break a world record, watch horror movies, and go up the down-escalator. And he's determined to find answers to all of the questions nobody ever answers — all of them. But Sam has leukemia, and he knows he doesn't have much time left. As Sam fights through the last stages of his disease, one question may be more important than all the rest: What matters most when every minute counts?

 MY OPINION: *****

This book was really touching and emotional. Sam is normal, but he isn't. He is fighting an almost impossible battle that he knows he will not win (sadly). But he is determined to do everything that he wants to do before his time comes. He tries to do things that most kids want to do before their lives are over, but most are for older people! His friend also has cancer, and he is the one who really pushes Sam to do the things that he wants to do.

Sally Nicholls is a wonderful author. She writes with such detail and emotion that makes you want to cry at the end. She knows what will make the reader attached to Sam, and what will make the reader feel towards other characters at the same time.

I know that there is a movie going off of this book. I plan to see it sometime. But the book was incredible and inspiring to many people, not only cancer patients (though it is!). I would recommend this book to fifth-, sixth- or even seventh-graders, though some younger or older readers will most likely enjoy this book too.

Main Character: Sam McQueen
Sidekicks: Felix Stranger
Villain: LEUKEMIA
Realistic Fiction Elements: All of this could be true and happen in real life, though it does not necessarily mean that it is a true story

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