What we’re about
This is a group for people who enjoy meeting new friends and having lively discussions about books! We meet once a month (usually on the first Wednesday) at Uno Chicago Grill in Hamilton. Everyone orders something to support the business - food, drinks, or both. We read a variety of genres: mostly recent fiction, but some classics, nonfiction, sci-fi, and graphic novels as well.
If you’re interested in attending an upcoming event but the list of people “going” is full, please do sign up for the waitlist. Most months, everyone who was originally on the waitlist is able to attend. If you have any trouble signing up, please comment on the event or send a message to the organizers, and we will be happy to add you.
We look forward to meeting you!
Upcoming events (1)
See all- The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar WildeUno Chicago Grill, Hamilton, NJ
The results are in! The winner of our poll, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, received 53.3% of the first choice votes. Ranked choice voting didn't come into play this month since the winner received a majority of the first choice votes. Thank you to everyone who voted!
If you didn't hear about the poll or otherwise have not been receiving Meetup messages, send an email to one.drink.minimum.book@gmail.com and we'll be happy to help.
Oscar Wilde did not win any awards for The Picture of Dorian Gray; it was actually poorly received by the British public and critics. Initial response to Wilde's novel was negative if not abusive. The St. James Gazette of June 20, 1890, refers to the "garbage of the French Décadents" and the "prosy rigmaroles" of the story. The Daily Chronicle of June 30 calls it a "poisonous book." The Scots Observer of July 5 asks, "Why go grubbing in muck-heaps?" (See full Scots Observer review below)
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.
The Picture of Dorian Gray was a succès de scandale. Early readers were shocked by its hints at unspeakable sins, and the book was later used as evidence against Wilde at the Old Bailey in 1895.
- description from Goodreads link #1 and Goodreads link #2
“Why go grubbing in muck heaps? The world is fair, and the proportion of healthy-minded men and honest women, to those who are foul, fallen or unnatural is great. Mr. Oscar Wilde has again been writing stuff that were better unwritten; and while The Picture of Dorian Gray, which he contributes to Lippincott’s, is ingenious, interesting, full of cleverness, and plainly the work of a man of letters, it is false art—for its interest is medico-legal; it is false to human nature—for its hero is a devil, it is false to morality—for it is not made sufficiently clear that the writer does not prefer a course of unnatural iniquity to a life of cleanliness, health and sanity. The story—which deals with matters only fit for the Criminal Investigation Department or a hearing in camera—is discreditable alike to author an editor.
Mr. Wilde has brains, and art, and style; but if he can write for none but outlawed noblemen and perverted telegraph-boys, the sooner he takes to tailoring (or some other decent trade) the better for his own reputation and the public morals.”— The Scots Observer, July 5th, 1890
Attendance policy: Please be considerate of others!
- RSVP: Sign up if you plan to attend.
- Cancellations: If you need to cancel, please update your RSVP as soon as possible.
- Attendance: Show up if you are on the “Going” list.
- Emergencies: If a last-minute emergency arises, please communicate as soon as you can.
- Consequences: Repeated lack of consideration may result in removal from the group.
Available in local libraries:
If you have any trouble signing up, please comment on the event, message Chris or Gary, or email one.drink.minimum.book@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to add you.
