This Wretched Beauty: A Dorian Gray Remix coming February 17th, 2026 from Feiwel & Friends; 304 pages
Content Warning: Child abuse, violence, anti-queer rhetoric
About the Author: “Elle Grenier is a queer and trans author from Southern Ontario currently residing in British Columbia with her partner and their three cats. Elle has a BA in English Literature from the University of Toronto, and their debut novel, This Wretched Beauty (A Dorian Gray Remix), is being published as part of Feiwel and Friends’ REMIXED CLASSICS collection” (Bio from author’s website).
Find Elle Grenier on the following platforms:
Raised to inherit a title and an estate, Dorian Gray has never been allowed to imagine a life beyond their grandfather’s rigid control. Isolated and carefully molded into a picture-perfect heir, they long for something more—though what that may be is still unknown. One night, a secret escape leads Dorian to Basil, a talented painter who recognizes both the beauty and possibility in Dorian. As Basil paints their portrait, he introduces Dorian to London’s hidden world full of molly houses and drag performers; a place where self-expression, freedom, and joy run rampant. As Dorian falls deeper into desire and rebellion, their portrait begins to change—reflecting the wickedness that lies just beneath the surface.
A strong concept executed with elegant prose, this reimagining of The Picture of Dorian Gray left me feeling satisfied. I genuinely enjoyed the writing style. Grenier does an excellent job of immersing readers in Victorian London without becoming overly dense or pretentious. The language often echoes Wilde’s original voice, and many passages are filled with beautiful descriptions and emotional depth. I also appreciated the subtle portrayal of queerness throughout the novel. Rather than relying on modern labels, the story reflects the realities of the time period, allowing characters’ identities to emerge naturally. This approach felt thoughtful and historically grounded. However, as a young adult novel, the book shifts the focus away from the original’s sharp critique of moral decay and indulgence and moves toward a more conventional coming-of-age narrative. While this will likely appeal to some readers, it clearly changes the story’s tone and impact. The darker philosophical elements are softened, making the overall message feel less complex. After learning more about the Remixed Classics project, it’s clear that these books are meant as reinterpretations rather than faithful retellings. With this in mind, This Wretched Beauty: A Dorian Gray Remix succeeds as a creative and progressive reworking of a true classic.
This Wretched Beauty: A Dorian Gray Remix releases on February 17th, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Fierce Reads for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Vanshikha Vij, Pine Reads Review Writer and Website Manager