mellyreadsbooks's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
livajoy's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
yaldaradan's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
arveparve's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bcgg's review against another edition
5.0
'John Williams's luminous and deeply moving novel is a work of quiet perfection. William Stoner emerges from it not only as an archetypal American, but as an unlikely existential hero, standing, like a figure in a painting by Edward Hopper, in stark relief against an unforgiving world.'
To me, Stoner is an observer of life, like it is story being laid out before him which for some, will be seen as a very sad story. It does not have the big finish most North American readers expect by the end of a novel - as in, a grand finish that puts everything in order and, the main character, is the hero of the story etc. It has been described as the "anti-“Gatsby" of its time.
It has precise wording and in that quiet, it gives us the truth about life. It isn't always going to be good and that is ok.
“Stoner” is a great, chronically underappreciated American novel. " The New Yorker October 20, 2013
Where his life can seem to some as sad and unsuccessful, I do not. Yes his life is full of hurdles, challenges that truly are unfair at times, he does succeed in the one thing in his life he truly loved - literature.
His story is probably more reflective of real life than many books we North Americans expect. It is a book one never forgets.
To me, Stoner is an observer of life, like it is story being laid out before him which for some, will be seen as a very sad story. It does not have the big finish most North American readers expect by the end of a novel - as in, a grand finish that puts everything in order and, the main character, is the hero of the story etc. It has been described as the "anti-“Gatsby" of its time.
It has precise wording and in that quiet, it gives us the truth about life. It isn't always going to be good and that is ok.
“Stoner” is a great, chronically underappreciated American novel. " The New Yorker October 20, 2013
Where his life can seem to some as sad and unsuccessful, I do not. Yes his life is full of hurdles, challenges that truly are unfair at times, he does succeed in the one thing in his life he truly loved - literature.
His story is probably more reflective of real life than many books we North Americans expect. It is a book one never forgets.
payshens117's review against another edition
5.0
*4.25
i like this book because it was so real. it just followed a man's life, and it didn't try to find any special, deep meaning. it didn't force anything for comedic or depressive effect. it felt very real, which i appreciate, probably because i don't read that very much. and also, the writing in this book was so beautiful. i very much recommend.
i like this book because it was so real. it just followed a man's life, and it didn't try to find any special, deep meaning. it didn't force anything for comedic or depressive effect. it felt very real, which i appreciate, probably because i don't read that very much. and also, the writing in this book was so beautiful. i very much recommend.
aliencatl0rd's review against another edition
5.0
I wish I could explain why this book is so good, but I can't. It's mundane--a normal life with its ups and downs--but it's captivating until the very end. Incredible work of art.
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, Cancer, and Infidelity