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Stoner
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Alfred Molina
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
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Summary
Waterstone's book of the year
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.
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What listeners say about Stoner
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- ADRIAN M WATTS
- 21-03-17
Probably one of the finest books I have listened to - why isn't this book better known?!
If you enjoy Donna Tartt I think you will enjoy this. I am left feeling bereft after finishing this book, so much so that I am about to start again!
19 people found this helpful
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- mitchell bell
- 28-09-17
Beautifully written
Beautifully written but don't expect much more.
There is no beginning middle and end. It flows through one mans life without much excitement but an unexciting life nevertheless is beautifully described.
21 people found this helpful
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- Elaine
- 29-01-17
Thoughtful and compelling
Any additional comments?
This isn't the sort of book I would normally go for. It took me a while to get into it, but once I did I was hooked. I think comparisons to John Steinbeck are pushing it a bit, but Stoner is a compelling classic American novel with a character I came to really care about.
9 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 16-04-17
A Truley Great Novel.
Utterly fantastic, moving and expertly composed. Everyone should read this book. The person who read this version was also flawless in his delivery.
16 people found this helpful
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- Pete
- 17-10-17
This is why I love the Daily Deals
Stoner would never have come close to entering my wish list but, thanks to the Daily Deals, I have just finished listening to what is now one of my favourite books of all time. Summarising the storyline would serve no useful purpose. It is more important to know that the writing, observation and characterisation are magnificent. All this is beautifully conveyed by Alfred Molina’s narration which surpasses any I have heard to date.
This is a must!
6 people found this helpful
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- M Broders
- 07-09-17
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.
12 people found this helpful
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- Roy Pierce-Jones
- 17-11-16
Modern American Classic.
This text will be regarded as a classic of 20th century literature.Alfred Molina brings great delicacy to the reading and adds to the poignancy of the text.Highly recommended.
10 people found this helpful
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- Pepino
- 01-02-17
Dark and beautiful
A fantastically crafted narrative that explores the human condition. As dark as it is beautiful.
13 people found this helpful
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- barbara
- 29-10-17
Masterpiece
This is a marvel. An economic prose yet the fullest, most complete characterisation I've read for many years. I couldn't stop listening to this and have since bought the book which I treasure. The narration is perfect; mellifluous yet Stoners quiet strength is present in every word. Alfred Molina is an exceptional narrator. Here is a book for life
3 people found this helpful
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- Christian Schmidt
- 21-09-18
Amazing
This book really shook me to the core. It is gripping, and written in a way I have never read before. Beautiful!
2 people found this helpful
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- Chelsea Monday
- 13-12-18
Painful and beautiful
Such a complex yet freely flowing story! Gripping and engaging like few other books. I think you might have to have experienced a bit of life and love yourself to fully appreciate this book.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 01-10-20
Good read!
A simplistic but engaging narrative! The plot was well adapted by the narrator so much so that It was very hard to put down. (If that idiom applies to audio books) 😋
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- Tim Martin
- 03-05-20
The arc of a human (humanist) beautifully written
Still missing my time with Stoner - the book and the man. His story is both unique and universal. Molina's narration was spot-on. If you're after something in the same vein, try William Boyd's 'Any Human Heart'.
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- Cliente Amazon
- 08-09-18
Es una obra maestra
Esta muy bellamente narrado, perfectamente escrito, que transforma una vida aburrida en casi una obra maestra