Absolutely devastating - amazing.

Wow - this is a quietly super-powerful story. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this devastatingly understated story to anybody. Very well read. Superb all round.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

What a Read, What a Read

I've read Stoner - and now I've listened to the audio book. Both experiences confirmed to me that Stoner surely ranks as one the greatest novels of the 20th century.

The thing that makes the story so exceptional is that it is built around a man who appears, well, so unexceptional, so ordinary. For Stoner is a modest, self-effacing, somewhat plodding university academic with, on the face of it, very little to interest anyone, even the reader.

But the author John William's carefully and slowly, evolves his central character so that inch-by-inch, page-by-page, one starts to gain an enormous affinity with this thoroughly decent, moral and, above all, good man, whose unfolding life of early hardships, a disastrous marriage, terrible persecution by a boss at work, a doomed love affair and finally alienation from his only child, should rightly see him crumple from the blows so cruelly inflicted upon him.

But William Stoner is above all things stoic - he bears it all - everything that life's slings and arrows can throw at him. And maybe that was what Williams was trying to tease out in his brilliant novel - that stoicism can help us, can sustain us through t the sheer bloody unfairness and wretchedness that life can throw up. And boy, does Williams do it well.

There are three books I will always recommend to anyone: Elizabeth Taylor's 'Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont', Larry McMurtry's 'Lonesome Dove' and, yes, John Williams' 'Stoner'. Read it, listen to it - it really doesn't matter which one you choose.

Oh, but as this is an audible review I should, for the record, state that Alfred Molina's narration is, as you would expect from a great actor, perfection itself.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

mote of a companion that simple reading.

a poem to solitude, every word like a paintstroke. so much happens within one's soul.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

What a good book!

A haunting story of a difficult life. I really enjoyed this book and will look out for more by John Williams

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A real story that is beautifully written

I was and I hope continued to be moved by this book. Written beautifully it tells a all of our stories in a real and authentic way.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An ordinary life

Extraordinary. Well written. How our ordinary lives are extraordinary in its simplicity. An excellent book for our frantically busy lives. Unpretentious.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent Novel

Very much enjoyed listening to this. To say not much happens would be true. But it is a compelling story beautifully told and very well read.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

A perfect novel

The most beautiful of tragedies, written as if a lullaby and so deeply moving it takes your breath away.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Enjoyable escape.

What can I say that hasn’t already been said before about this classic novel. Not much to add to the rave reviews. I’m embarrassed to say I’d never heard of ‘Stoner’ the novel until someone recommended it on tv last week. Did a bit of research on YouTube and found their now making a big Hollywood movie based on the book staring Casey Affleck. Be interesting to see how they portray our hero. We live in hope! Movies usually are never as good as the book. Feel sad I’ve finished this read as I enjoyed it so much.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

lovely

slow burner, but in the end really enjoyed it. loved the picture of academic America over this year's

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!