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Stoner

A Novel

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About this listen

Waterstone's book of the year 2013

Colum McCann once called Stoner one of the great forgotten novels of the past century, but it seems it is forgotten no longer - in 2013 translations of Stoner began appearing on best-seller lists across Europe.

William Stoner enters the University of Missouri at 19 to study agriculture. A seminar on English literature changes his life, and he never returns to work on his father's farm. Stoner becomes a teacher. He marries the wrong woman. His life is quiet, and after his death his colleagues remember him rarely.

Yet with truthfulness, compassion and intense power, this novel uncovers a story of universal value. Stoner tells of the conflicts, defeats and victories of the human race that pass unrecorded by history and reclaims the significance of an individual life.

A listening experience like no other, itself a paean to the power of literature, it is a novel to be savoured.

©2016 John Williams (P)2016 Random House AudioBooks Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Thought-Provoking Heartfelt
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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.

Enjoyable escape.

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What a great book. You couldn't help but like Stoner who wandered aimlessly into his life. Alfed Molina was superb

A life. warts and all

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At the beginning I wasn’t sure I liked this book but my goodness what a gentle and achingly beautiful story it is. There is great sadness - for what might have been for William Stoner but his is an ordinary life - good and bad - and that is what is so very compelling. I loved it.

Stick with this wonderful book

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An odd and rather surprisingly good book. Certainly sombre throughout but strangely uplifting at the end. I would certainly recommend to others

great narration, surprisingly uplifting story

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One of the most enjoyable books I have read. Beautifully scripted and crafted … no frills just intensely meaningful story telling .

Stoner John Williams

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