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What Members Thought
I'm still pondering on this story and I'll likely have to re-read it. I think it might work its way up into my top 10 favourite books of all time; up there with To the Lighthouse and Angle of Repose. I tend to like stories of ordinary lives and this one was exquisite. You can't help but respect Stoner's integrity, even as you silently wish for him to go along to get along, just to relieve his pain.
So much of earlier literature seems to be about people trapped by societal expectations. I wonder h ...more
So much of earlier literature seems to be about people trapped by societal expectations. I wonder h ...more
Man, I wanted to hate this book. You win, Stoner. Take all five stars, you pale, quiet, stooped, ineffectual motherfucker, you.
Stoner is sympathetic. BUT THEN HE'S NOT. The writing is super plain. UNTIL IT'S NOT. Writing is about making choices, UNLESS IT'S ABOUT MAKING NO CHOICES AND JUST WRITING DOWN EVERYTHING ONE DUDE DOES WITH HIS LIFE, AND WE ARE ALL TRICKED INTO THINKING IT'S BRILLIANT.
But what if it *IS* brilliant?
Needless to say, I have a lot of feels about this one. Including anger at ...more
Stoner is sympathetic. BUT THEN HE'S NOT. The writing is super plain. UNTIL IT'S NOT. Writing is about making choices, UNLESS IT'S ABOUT MAKING NO CHOICES AND JUST WRITING DOWN EVERYTHING ONE DUDE DOES WITH HIS LIFE, AND WE ARE ALL TRICKED INTO THINKING IT'S BRILLIANT.
But what if it *IS* brilliant?
Needless to say, I have a lot of feels about this one. Including anger at ...more
Tragic and beautiful, and four and a half stars if I could choose that. One of the most elegantly written books I have read in quite some time. If you love character-driven stories, or the movies of Alexander Payne, you will probably love Stoner. He's a protagonist that you get emotionally drawn into, and one that won't leave you. It's been said that this is the best American novel no one has ever read, and it definitely deserves being read or taught.
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A farmer’s son goes to college and is snared by education. He becomes a professor, gets married and has a daughter. He isn’t really suited totally to his profession or his marriage . He stays the course and becomes ..... well, you’ll have to read this lovely book to find out.
A simple story about a simple man's whole life. The subtleties of his maturing views, dreams and relationships are fascinating to follow. The relationship with his wife is not as dynamic as it could have been but overall a satisfying story.
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Quietly amazing.
Apr 20, 2011
corky
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2014
Ann
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Feb 24, 2017
Sarah
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Jan 27, 2018
b
marked it as to-read
Mar 08, 2019
Ehrrin
marked it as to-read
Apr 29, 2020
Laura
marked it as to-read
Dec 18, 2020
James Vickers
marked it as to-read
Jan 19, 2023
Rachael Uggla
marked it as to-read
Aug 27, 2023
May
marked it as to-read
