The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde

The narrative explores the destructive impact of evil and hedonism on a young aesthete in late-19th-century England. Through vivid characterizations and moral dilemmas, the story delves into themes of vanity, corruption, and the pursuit of pleasure, ultimately revealing the consequences of a life devoted to aestheticism and moral decay. Wilde's sharp critique of society and its values offers a profound commentary on the human condition.