The Essential Reads

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde chapter 19, narrated by Isaac Birchall Subscribe on YT or Join the Book Club on Patreon and support me as an independent creator :D https://ko-fi.com/theessentialreads https://www.patreon.com/theessentialreads https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfOFfvo05ElM96CmfsGsu3g/join SUMMARY: Several weeks have passed and Dorian goes to visit Lord Henry. Dorian claims that he has changes and that he wants to reform himself and be virtuous. As if providing evidence of his new ways, Dorian tells Lord Henry of his most recent love affair, and claims that he spared the poor girl, from a relationship with him, by leaving her unblemished. Lord Henry dismisses Dorian’s reformations, and turns the conversation to other subjects, namely, Alan Campbell’s death and the mystery of Basil’s disappearance. Dorian asks if he has considered that Basil could have been murdered. Lord Henry dismisses the idea, and when Dorian asks what he would think if Dorian said that he killed him, Lord Henry laughs away the notion of it, saying that murder is too vulgar a thing for Dorian to have done.

The Sign of the Four by Arthur Conan Doyle chapter 1 The Science of Deduction, narrated by Isaac Birchall Subscribe on YT or Join the Book Club on Patreon and support me as an independent creator :D https://ko-fi.com/theessentialreads https://www.patreon.com/theessentialreads https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfOFfvo05ElM96CmfsGsu3g/join SUMMARY: Sherlock Holmes is sitting in his chair at Baker Street, injecting narcotics into his arm. Dr Watson, his flat mate and friend, calls Holmes out on his recreational narcotic usage, and feels that he should stop abusing them for the sake of his health and mind. Holmes replies to this outburst by claiming that his mind rebels at stagnation, and that because he doesn't have a case to solve, he yields to this form of Mental Exaltation. He then says that he made his detective job for himself because he takes great pleasure in solving problems.The two men quickly discuss the Jefferson Hope Case which Watson wrote about, "A Study in Scarlet." Holmes says that Watson added too much romanticism, and believes that Watson should have only left in the parts pertaining to Holmes' detective abilities. Holmes then mentions that he has also written several pieces about his detective abilities on the distinction between ashes of various tobaccos, and the like.Watson then asks Holmes to explain the difference between observation and deduction. Holmes obliges, and says that Watson went to the post office to send a telegram, and then explains how he came to these conclusions. With a goal to challenge his flat mate, Watson gets Holmes to identify his watch, and describe its former owner. After looking at the watch, Holmes concludes that the watch belonged to Watson's brother, that the man had times of poverty and prosperity, and was also a drunk. After a brief outburst from Watson, Holmes goes to explain how he arrives at the answer he gave. Following this, their Land Lady Mrs. Hudson, comes in and announces that a Miss Mary Morstan wants to see Holmes... A New Case

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde chapter 18, narrated by Isaac Birchall Subscribe on YT or Join the Book Club on Patreon and support me as an independent creator :D https://ko-fi.com/theessentialreads https://www.patreon.com/theessentialreads https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfOFfvo05ElM96CmfsGsu3g/join SUMMARY: The following day Dorian refuse to leave the house, and thoughts of falling victim to James Vane consume him. He begins to wonder whether his face was actually there or not, and this idea makes him wonder whether he will every be able to sleep again.Three days later, Dorian goes outside. He goes on a stroll around his estate, and feels strong again. He breakfasts with the Duchess and then goes on a walk with hunting party in the park. While strolling along side the men, Dorian becomes transfixed by a hare, and begs the men not to shoot the beautiful creature. One of the men laughs at Dorian’s compassion and fires. The gunshot is immediately followed by a cry of pain, and several men dash into the bush to find that a man has been shot and killed. Lord Henry takes Dorian back to the house, and dismisses Dorian’s claim that it is a bad omen. Attempting to lighten the mood, Lord Henry jokes with Dorian about his relationship with the duchess. Dorian fires back “I wish I could love,” and claims that he is too concentrated on himself and his own personality to love. When the Duchess comes to greet them, Dorian heads inside to leave Lord Henry to talk with her. Once in his room, the head keeper comes to see his master, and informs Dorian that no one knows who the dead man is, and that he wasn’t a member of anyone’s staff. The keeper, states that the man looks like a rough sailor type. On hearing this, Dorian demands to see the body and rides to the stables, where he finds the body of James Vane lying in the straw. Dorian finally feels safe again.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde chapter 17, narrated by Isaac Birchall Subscribe on YT or Join the Book Club on Patreon and support me as an independent creator :D https://ko-fi.com/theessentialreads https://www.patreon.com/theessentialreads https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfOFfvo05ElM96CmfsGsu3g/join SUMMARY: A week later, Dorian is entertaining guests at his home, Selby. He talks with Lord Henry, the Dutchess of Monmouth, and her husband about the nature and importance of beauty, and other matters. The duchess criticises Lord Henry for placing too much importance on beauty. When the conversation turns to love, Lord Henry maintains that love, like life, depends on repeating great experiences over and over again. Dorian agrees as usual with Lord Henry and excuses himself. The guests hear a groan and a thud from the other side of the room, and rush over to find Dorian laying on the ground. At supper, Dorian has sudden chills, and thinks about what caused him to fall. He was certain that he saw the face of James Vane at the window.