(Audiobook) The Picture of Dorian Gray
This was interesting.
This audiobook is actually made up of several parts. There's a dramatized version of Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, interviews with the producer of the adaptation, the author of the adaptation, and Alexander Vlahos (the actor who voices Dorian), the first installment of the Confessions of Dorian Gray series, and a selection of music.
To take each of these in turn:
The picture of Dorian Gray (adaptation/dramatized) - This is a full cast dramatization of the story, and not a narration of the actual text. It sort of reminds me of the full cast adaptation of Carmilla with David Tennant and Rose Leslie that I listened to a couple of years ago. I found it to be quite delightful. The cast were all excellent at their parts, with high marks going to Alexander Vlahos as Dorian. Being a dramatization, things that were subtext in the original work were brought right out into the open here. Some things were changed a bit, but they very heart of the story, and all major plot points were there. If you don't mind adaptations, I'd say this is worth a listen.
Interviews - Are pretty much standard interviews. Interesting, but nothing to write home over.
The Confessions of Dorian Gray (This World Our Hell) - The basis of the series is that Dorian Gray is a real man, and that his friendship with Oscar Wilde is what prompted Wilde to write a book about Dorian. From what I gather, the series follows Dorian throughout the passage of time--stories are set in different eras. This one is set in 1900, and it finds Dorian in Paris visiting Mr. Wilde, who is on his death bed. It's not an overly long story, maybe about 30 minutes total, but I did find it entertaining, and might look into others in the series.
Music - The musical selection by James Dunlop was quite lovely. It's something I could see myself listening to more than once for sure.