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Satirical Update to a Classic Novel

Dorian Gray’s Castle for Sale After an Art Gallery Disaster

When Immortals Struggle With Boredom

Andrea Lawrence

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“Portrait of Dorian Gray” (Coleridge Kennard) by Jacques-Émile Blanche, 1904. | Photo courtesy: Wiki Commons
“Portrait of Dorian Gray” (Coleridge Kennard) by Jacques-Émile Blanche, 1904. | Photo courtesy: Wiki Commons

On a blustery afternoon, Dorian Gray looked over the ledge of his castle and watched leaves fall into the lake. Boats sailed by. Egrets flew in the sky.

Dorian moved to the estate a century ago. It’s hidden in York. As Dorian swirled his wine and considered smoking another cigarette, a curious thought blossomed. Something he used to fear might quell his ever-growing boredom. Should he enjoy another afternoon watching ducks or venture toward something with more bang?

He went up a staircase to a hallway he hadn’t visited in decades. A hideout castle is necessary for an immortal with a long list of sins. Some of his misadventures are dark and daring, and some are rather silly: hitting mailboxes with baseball bats, eating loudly during a movie, or trespassing onto a property for the perfect Instagram snap with a giant chicken statue.

Dorian lifted a key ring and fitted a curious purple key to the doorknob of the forbidden room. He entered the small room with relics: a wooden box containing Saint John’s teeth, a sword emblazoned with rubies given to Queen Elizabeth II and stolen during a fire at Buckingham Palace, and silver…

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Andrea Lawrence
Andrea Lawrence

Written by Andrea Lawrence

Poet, creative writer, loves a bit of satire, food and wine journalist, relationship writer, interior design maven, Midwestern background.

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