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The Picture of Dorian Gray full cast audiobook

by Oscar Wilde

Released · Updated · 7h 44m · 33 voices

The story (no spoilers)

In Victorian London, the strikingly beautiful young Dorian Gray sits for a portrait that captures him so perfectly its painter dares not show it to the world. Basil Hallward, the artist, has poured his devotion into the canvas, and he guards Dorian jealously. But in the studio Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, a witty aristocrat who preaches that youth and beauty are the only treasures worth having, and that every sensation should be chased before time takes it away. The idea lodges in Dorian like a splinter. Looking at his own painted face, he is struck by the thought that he will grow old while the image stays young, and he makes a wish that he cannot take back. As Lord Henry's philosophy draws him out of the drawing rooms of Mayfair and into the city's darker pleasures, the portrait begins to answer him. The novel asks what a man becomes when his face can no longer testify against him, and what he will pay to keep it that way.

The cast

24 speaking roles are listed; walk-on parts are not. Each voice was designed, or chosen from our library of designed voices, to fit how the book describes the character, and it stays with them from the first chapter to the last. Portraits are illustrated impressions of each character.

  • Illustrated portrait of Dorian Gray: about 22, golden, wavy, softly tousled, a sky-blue silk cravat with a dark frock coat

    Dorian Gray

    Male, about twenty years old, an Englishman living in London in 1890, a wealthy upper-class gentleman of leisure and the beautiful subject of a portrait. He speaks with a soft, polished received pronunciation. His voice is a clear, warm, light baritone, fresh and youthful. He speaks fluidly at a moderate pace, quickening with enthusiasm. He is impressionable, charming and playful, with sincere, eager warmth.

  • Illustrated portrait of Lord Henry: about 38, auburn, wavy, swept back from a receding brow, a plum-purple silk tie and charcoal morning coat

    Lord Henry

    Male, about thirty-eight years old, an English aristocrat living in London in 1890, a wealthy idle man of fashion and famous wit. He has a languid upper-class received pronunciation. His voice is a low, musical, velvety baritone, slightly smoky from cigarettes. He speaks slowly and lazily, savouring each paradox, often with a laugh in the voice. He is detached, amused and quietly mischievous.

  • Illustrated portrait of Basil Hallward: about 42, tousled sandy-brown, untidy, an olive-green tweed jacket with open collar

    Basil Hallward

    Male, about thirty-six years old, an Englishman living in London in 1890, a prosperous middle-class portrait painter. He speaks with an educated, slightly plain received pronunciation. His voice is a medium, earnest baritone with a faint huskiness, a little strained when he is moved. He speaks gravely at a measured, hesitant pace. He is sincere, sensitive, anxious and self-effacing.

  • Illustrated portrait of Duchess: about 30, chestnut, piled in a soft pompadour, a coral-pink silk evening gown

    Duchess

    Female, about thirty years old, an English duchess living in Victorian society in 1890, a wealthy upper-class hostess. She speaks with a light, bright upper-class received pronunciation. Her voice is a sweet, high-ish soprano, airy and girlish. She speaks in a lilting, playful pace with gentle rises. She is good-humoured, a little vague and easily amused.

  • Illustrated portrait of Jim Vane: about 18, black, cropped short and unruly, a rust-brown rough jacket with a red neckerchief

    Jim Vane

    Male, about eighteen years old, James, a rough working-class London sailor about to sail for Australia in the 1880s, protective of his sister. He speaks with a rough working-class London accent. His voice is a light, bright, clear tenor, slim and quick. He speaks bluntly and impatiently in short gruff phrases, earnest and restless.

  • Illustrated portrait of Sibyl Vane: about 17, light brown, loose curls with a ribbon, a lavender cotton dress with white collar

    Sibyl Vane

    Female, about seventeen years old, a working-class London actress at a Holborn theatre in 1890, romantic, radiant and devoted to her family. She speaks with a soft London accent with a theatrical polish. She speaks warmly and quickly, bright and joyful, with a lilting rise.

  • Illustrated portrait of Lady Narborough: about 68, white, frizzy, piled high in tight curls, an emerald-green satin gown

    Lady Narborough

    Female, about sixty-eight years old, an English aristocratic widow and hostess living in London in 1890, wealthy and upper-class. She speaks with a brisk, forward upper-class received pronunciation. Her voice is a dry, slightly creaky contralto, strong and carrying despite her age. She speaks in quick, emphatic bursts. She is clever, teasing, frank and bossy, with great spirit.

  • Illustrated portrait of Mrs. Vane: about 48, faded dyed blonde, frizzed, a worn mauve shawl over a dingy dress

    Mrs. Vane

    Female, about forty-five years old, an Englishwoman living in London in 1890, a faded working-class theatre actress. She speaks with an affected, genteel London accent that slips at the edges. Her voice is a thin, nasal mezzo, tired and powdery. She speaks in a plaintive, theatrical manner with a complaining drawl. She is anxious, querulous, fussy about money and respectability.

  • Illustrated portrait of Alan Campbell: about 32, coal-black, close-cropped, severe, a black frock coat with a stiff white collar and steel-grey cravat pin

    Alan Campbell

    Male, about thirty years old, an Englishman living in London in 1890, a middle-class scientist and chemist. He speaks with a crisp, precise educated English accent. His voice is a flat, dry tenor, cold and hard, with little warmth. He speaks slowly and with deliberate care, every word placed evenly. He is stern, reserved, unforgiving and self-contained.

  • Illustrated portrait of Lord Fermor: about 70, bald crown with thin white fringe, a tobacco-brown tweed coat with high wing collar

    Lord Fermor

    Male, about seventy-two years old, an English aristocrat and retired diplomat living in London in 1890, wealthy and upper-class. He speaks with an old-fashioned, clipped upper-class received pronunciation. His voice is a deep, gravelly bass-baritone, rough with age. He speaks in a slow, grumbling pace with abrupt stresses. He is blunt, cranky and opinionated.

  • Illustrated portrait of Duchess of Harley: about 52, auburn going grey, curled up, a turquoise brocade gown

    Duchess of Harley

    Female, about fifty years old, an English duchess living in London in 1890, wealthy and upper-class. She speaks with a warm, rounded upper-class received pronunciation. Her voice is a full, rich contralto from a stout frame. She speaks slowly and comfortably, with wondering rises. She is good-natured, curious and a little naive.

  • Illustrated portrait of Mr. Erskine: about 68, silver, swept back, a burgundy waistcoat under a grey coat

    Mr. Erskine

    Male, about sixty-eight years old, an English country gentleman living in 1890, wealthy and upper-class, cultured and bookish. He speaks with a refined, soft received pronunciation. His voice is a thin, light, slightly dry tenor, gentle and quiet. He speaks slowly and sparingly, with courteous pauses. He is dry, ironic and courteous.

  • Illustrated portrait of Adrian Singleton: about 26, ginger-red, lank, unkempt, a crumpled teal cravat and rumpled coat

    Adrian Singleton

    Male, about twenty-six years old, an English gentleman living in London in 1890, once wealthy and upper-class, now idle and ruined. He speaks with a drawling upper-class received pronunciation. His voice is a hoarse, light tenor, worn and breathy. He speaks very slowly and listlessly, trailing off. He is weary, resigned and indifferent.

  • Illustrated portrait of Sir Thomas: about 55, iron-grey, thinning, combed over, a navy frock coat with a buff waistcoat

    Sir Thomas

    Male, about fifty-five years old, an English member of Parliament in 1890, a prosperous middle-class Radical from the North. He speaks with a Northern English accent. His voice is a nasal, mid-range baritone, heavy and self-satisfied. He speaks briskly and pompously with a grave, lecturing tone. He is supercilious, conventional and humourless.

  • Illustrated portrait of Mr. Hubbard: about 45, sleek black, pomaded, thin on top, a claret tail coat with a mustard waistcoat

    Mr. Hubbard

    Male, about fifty years old, a London tradesman in 1890, a middle-class frame maker and dealer. He speaks with a London shopkeeper's accent, a touch of Cockney under a polite manner. His voice is a plump, mid-high, slightly oily tenor from a stout frame. He speaks fairly quickly with eager, ingratiating rises. He is obsequious, cheerful and keen to please.

  • Illustrated portrait of Lady Agatha: about 55, mousy brown, wispy bun under a feathered hat, a dove-and-violet afternoon dress

    Lady Agatha

    Female, about fifty years old, an English aristocrat living in London in 1890, wealthy and upper-class. She speaks with a fluttering upper-class received pronunciation. Her voice is a high, breathy soprano, slightly wavering. She speaks quickly in chatty, rambling runs with exclamations. She is good-natured, scatter-brained and easily amused.

  • Illustrated portrait of Francis: about 30, silvering mouse-grey, slicked, side-parted, a maroon livery coat with a buff striped waistcoat

    Francis

    Male, about thirty years old, an English manservant living in London in 1890, a working-class footman. He speaks with a mild, respectable London accent, carefully tidy. His voice is a soft, light tenor, quiet and even. He speaks at a measured, polite pace. He is deferential, dutiful and nervously attentive.

  • Illustrated portrait of Lady Henry: about 35, faded straw-blond, wispy, frizzed up, a clashing lilac-and-crimson gown

    Lady Henry

    Female, about twenty-eight years old, an English aristocrat's wife living in London in 1890, wealthy and upper-class. She speaks with a mannered upper-class received pronunciation. Her voice is a shrill, nasal, high-pitched soprano with a silly sudden laugh. She speaks very fast and nervously, in bubbling bursts. She is chatty, eccentric and curious.

  • Illustrated portrait of Sir Geoffrey: about 45, sandy-red, short, a rust-brown tweed Norfolk shooting jacket

    Sir Geoffrey

    Male, about forty years old, an English baronet and country sportsman in 1890, wealthy and upper-class. He speaks with a hearty, clipped upper-class received pronunciation. His voice is a loud, ruddy baritone, strong and carrying. He speaks briskly and bluntly in short sentences. He is irritable, hearty and impatient.

  • Illustrated portrait of Thornton: about 50, chestnut-brown, cropped, grey at the temples, a moss-green gamekeeper's coat

    Thornton

    Male, about forty-eight years old, an English head gamekeeper on a country estate in 1890, a working-class man of the land. He speaks with a broad rural Midlands accent. His voice is a deep, rough bass, weathered by outdoor life. He speaks slowly and plainly, with a respectful, matter-of-fact tone. He is practical, steady and deferential.

  • Illustrated portrait of Victor: about 28, dark brown, neatly oiled, centre-parted, a striped waistcoat in wine-red and black tailcoat

    Victor

    Male, about thirty-two years old, a Frenchman living in London in 1890, a working-class valet. He speaks English with a light French accent. His voice is a smooth, soft, mid-high tenor, gentle and quiet. He speaks softly and carefully, with formal courtesy. He is attentive, discreet and deferential.

  • Illustrated portrait of Mrs. Leaf: about 75, thin silver-grey, scraped into a small bun, a black dress with a sage-green shawl

    Mrs. Leaf

    Female, about seventy-four years old, an English housekeeper in a London town house in 1890, a working-class old family servant. She speaks with a soft, old-fashioned rural English accent. Her voice is a frail, quavering, high alto, tremulous with age. She speaks slowly and fussily, repeating herself. She is protective, deferential and anxious.

  • Illustrated portrait of Lady Ruxton: about 40, jet black, sleek, waved, a peacock-blue evening dress

    Lady Ruxton

    Female, about thirty-five years old, an English aristocrat living in London in 1890, wealthy and upper-class. She speaks with a relaxed, drawling upper-class received pronunciation. Her voice is a low, slightly husky contralto from cigarettes. She speaks at an easy, unhurried pace. She is cheerful, curious and breezy.

  • Illustrated portrait of Mrs. Vandeleur: steel-grey, severe upswept, a deep-burgundy velvet gown

    Mrs. Vandeleur

    Female, about forty-two years old, an English society matron living in London in 1890, a middle-class to upper-middle lady. She speaks with a prim, crisp received pronunciation. Her voice is a clear, mid-range mezzo-soprano, precise and cool. She speaks in a measured, clipped manner with solemn emphasis. She is earnest, proper and serious.

Chapters

21 chapter markers; each link opens the video on YouTube at that point.

  1. The Preface
  2. Chapter 1
  3. Chapter 2
  4. Chapter 3
  5. Chapter 4
  6. Chapter 5
  7. Chapter 6
  8. Chapter 7
  9. Chapter 8
  10. Chapter 9
  11. Chapter 10
  12. Chapter 11
  13. Chapter 12
  14. Chapter 13
  15. Chapter 14
  16. Chapter 15
  17. Chapter 16
  18. Chapter 17
  19. Chapter 18
  20. Chapter 19
  21. Chapter 20

About this recording

Narrator
Hugh Ellery, our house narrator voice
Runtime
7h 44m (complete and unabridged)
Voices
33
Channel
Best Free Audiobooks on YouTube
Released
Updated
Author
Oscar Wilde
First published
1890
Kind
gothic/literary novel
Source edition
Project Gutenberg eBook #174
Public domain (US)
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) by Oscar Wilde is in the public domain in the United States; text from Project Gutenberg.