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Stoner

John Williams,

John McGahern (Introduction)

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Jan 12, 2020 Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... rated it it was amazing

Shelves: american-lit, classics, read-in-2020

4.5 stars rounded up.

John Williams wrote a beautiful, quiet and spare novel about a quiet and spare man. This slim volume delves into the life, learnings and thoughts of one man. It is unexceptional. It is almost boring. And yet, it is completely enchanting. I loved every word.

According to Wikipedia, John Williams wrote Stoner in 1965, and it was out of print within a year. Only 2000 books were sold. But, it has been reprinted three times since, and I am so glad that it has.

This story is about W ...more

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Aug 23, 2019 Karen rated it it was amazing

Back in 2016 I read The Professor's House by Willa Cather, and Stoner strongly reminds me of that book. Stoner is a quiet exquisite read, although it packs a lot of history from the turn of the century, two world wars, and a hint of the unrest that comes in the 60s.
I won't say more because I think one needs to come to this novel without knowing a lot about it, other than it is perfect.
...more

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Feb 01, 2025 caroline rated it it was amazing

This book was deeply sad but in a very quiet and indifferent kind of way, which is a tone I am always impressed by when authors are able to pull it off.
But it was also very hopeful if you are looking for it!

1 like · Like · see review