Stoner

Stephanie Jane reviewed Stoner by John Williams (NYRB Classics)

Brilliantly depressing

5 stars

An unexpected find by Dave for our Kindle and possibly one of the most depressing stories I have read! Don't get me wrong. I loved the book and the writing is incredible but the lead character's life is very sad in that the personal cost to him of brief episodes of happiness is intense sorrow. The descriptions of certain classes of people at the beginning of the 20th century, particularly Stoner's wife Edith, are fantastic, as is the portrayal of his parents and their isolation. A great book but not a light read!

Miguel Ocaña reviewed Stoner by John Williams (NYRB Classics)

Review of 'Stoner' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Es increíble cómo una novela clásica, con una trama tan sencilla, consigue transmitir tanto en pocas palabras, parece que ni le sobra ni le falta nada

Chaar_Bagh reviewed Stoner by John Williams (NYRB Classics)

Review of 'Stoner' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

4.5

bungakumi reviewed Shi tuo na by John Williams

Review of 'Shi tuo na' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

2.5, really.
I just feel like I sat through the whole life of a person who never took any decision and therefore let his life and the one of those around him slip away... it infuriated and frustrated me more often than not.

But maybe the question is, after all, what did I expect?

Acton reviewed Stoner by John Williams (NYRB Classics)

Review of 'Stoner' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This is a beautifully written novel, one that will stick with me for quite awhile. William Stoner seemed to be living a quiet life, and yet his was a life full of tragedy, loneliness, defiance, and passion. Stoner had plenty of opportunity to show integrity and be true to himself, and he did. He discovered the truth and meaning in his life. That is success.

The English professor who opened William Stoner's eyes in the beginning of this story is Archer Sloane, who has a memorable speech about the young men who are leaving school to fight in WWI.

"...A war doesn't merely kill off a few thousand or a few hundred thousand young men. It kills off something in a people that can never be brought back. And if a people goes through enough wars, pretty soon all that's left is the brute, the creature that we--you and I …

This is a beautifully written novel, one that will stick with me for quite awhile. William Stoner seemed to be living a quiet life, and yet his was a life full of tragedy, loneliness, defiance, and passion. Stoner had plenty of opportunity to show integrity and be true to himself, and he did. He discovered the truth and meaning in his life. That is success.

The English professor who opened William Stoner's eyes in the beginning of this story is Archer Sloane, who has a memorable speech about the young men who are leaving school to fight in WWI.

"...A war doesn't merely kill off a few thousand or a few hundred thousand young men. It kills off something in a people that can never be brought back. And if a people goes through enough wars, pretty soon all that's left is the brute, the creature that we--you and I and others like us--have brought up from the slime...the scholar should not be asked to destroy what he has aimed his life to build."

I'd recommend this to anyone.