Elle Grenier – författare

Haunted by a portrait that seems to taunt them, a conflicted young aristocrat spirals down a path to the worst possible version of themself in this suspenseful retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray, perfect for fans of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth and These Violent Delights.Happiness needs to be earned in the face of impossible odds, or there's no beauty in it.London, 1867. Dorian Gray is the heir to a title and their family's estate, but they've never been given the chance to decide whether that's actually what they want out of life. Forcibly estranged from their father by their manipulative grandfather, Dorian feels trapped in the life that has been decided for them.Then one night they sneak out of their grandfather's house, they meet a sweet and talented young painter named Basil, who immediately recognizes Dorian as his new muse. They agree to sit for Basil for a portrait, and Dorian is struck by the beauty and depth that Basil paints into their likeness-and they dare to begin hoping there might be more to life than being their grandfather's perfect, empty-headed heir.Dorian is further elated when Basil introduces them to the world of molly houses and drag performers-they've never seen such joyful variety of humanity and gender expression. But, as the barrier between the London they know and the one they're discovering begins to crumble, Dorian must face the fact that freedom and safety do not come hand in hand.The aftermath of this realization pulls Dorian into a terrible downward spiral, torn between guilt over their own actions and hatred for the suffocating expectations of society. They push away those closest to them, surrounding themself instead with vapid courtiers and decadent socialites. And as Dorian's spiral of self-loathing deepens, something strange happens-Basil's portrait of them begins to change. Their smile becomes a little sharper, the glint in their eyes a little colder.Dorian will have to choose-embrace the wickedness within and allow themself to become what they were always meant to be, or dare to try for something far more fragile and dangerous: a life of their own making.The Remixed Classics SeriesIn the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelmingly cishet, white, and male canon.A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. LeeSo Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. MorrowTravelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae SafiWhat Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix by Tasha SuriSelf-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemoreMy Dear Henry: A Jekyll & Hyde Remix by Kalynn BayronTeach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb RoehrigInto the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix by Cherie DimalineMost Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole NovoaThis Wretched Beauty: A Dorian Gray Remix by Elle Grenier

In the smoky underworld of 1860s London, a labyrinth of molly houses, crumbling estates and illicit affairs, this gloriously gothic trans retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray unfurls a twisting tale of love, deceit, and dissolution.This atmospheric reimagining is perfect for fans of Every Exquisite Thing and The Spirit Bares Its Teeth.London, 1867. Dorian Gray is wealthy, beautiful, and miserable. Heir to both the fortune and reputation of their austere, manipulative grandfather, their only moments of joy are snatched by sneaking out to their father's gallery for secret visits. One night, they meet a sweet, talented young painter named Basil, who immediately recognizes Dorian as his new muse. Dorian is struck by the beauty and depth that Basil paints into their portrait-and dares to hope there might be more to life than living as their grandfather's perfect, empty-headed heir.Basil and his friend Henry Wootton introduce Dorian to the heady world of molly houses and drag performers. But Dorian's double life is shattered when a police investigation implicates them in "indecent" activities, and-terrified of their grandfather's wrath-they offer evidence against beloved drag performer Sybil Vane. Fleeing London in shame and disgrace, Dorian sets up a scandalous life in the country as Henry's mistress, throwing extravagant parties and breaking hearts at every turn.As Dorian's spiral of self-loathing deepens, something strange happens: the portrait begins to change. Their smile becomes a little sharper, the glint in their eyes a little colder. Dorian will soon have to choose: embrace the wickedness within and become what they were always meant to be, or dare to try for something far more fragile and dangerous: a life of their own making.