Nene La Beet's Reviews > Stoner

Characters like Stoner are not uncommon in literature - characters who never or rarely speak their mind. I guess they are not uncommon in the real world either, I just tend to avoid them because they make me feel insecure. However, one of the great things about this book is that it reveals Stoner as a character who would speak his mind if only people around him were ready to listen or if he thought they'd give a toss about what he had to say. I'm trying to learn from this ;-)

I really like the way this book unfolds slowly like a glacier and reveals Stoner's true self just as it reveals quite a lot about the inner workings of an institution of higher learning. Stuff you did not want to know!

Here on Goodreads I've read a very negative, but funny and sarcastic review of this book. I see where the reviewer is going, but I very much disagree. You can say that very little happens over a good deal of pages, but it wouldn't be true! A lot happens, it just happens in a very unassuming way.

I wish I could use the English language in as precise and elegant a way as John Williams.

The narration is a bit on the monotonous side, but I believe that to be a conscious choice on behalf of the narrator. Except from too short breaks between chapters, it is well done.