Stoner – John Williams

Rating: 4.5 stars

I have been meaning to read this book for about a year, but it’s been on a really long hold at the library. I read other things while I waited, and, had I read this book first, I would have had more appreciation for it, I think. It really touched me on a level that I think was easier to get to a year or two ago, but I could still see its merit.

Stoner is one of those books that are touted for it being an interesting story where nothing happens. It isn’t at all like that, but it doesn’t have action or you know, life changing stakes kinds of things. It doesn’t ramp things up unnecessarily, and for that it’s more touching. It’s a personal story where the consequences are more weighed, examined and put in perspective. For that, it’s more introspective than a lot of books.

I guess I should talk about the story, even if that can, at times, seem hardly relevant to the words I just read. A man born in the late 19th century comes from a farming household and is encouraged to go to college to learn how to farm better. He instead decides to study English literature. His parents accept it how they accept everything in their life. Then he meets a woman, and she accepts his proposal rather diffidently. He has a daughter his wife gradually alienates from him. He makes a powerful enemy at work, and he has an affair. I would feel like those are kinda spoilers, but those are all on the back cover of the version I got from the library! There’s nothing really surprising in this book or made to surprise, and it tries to do that in earnest. I’m not sure if I should credit it for that or if I’d have preferred it didn’t try to conform to a standard book shape of conflict-action-reaction like Winesburg, Ohio.

As for my complaints, the writing in the first third wasn’t particularly convincing, other than the first chapter which had some real treasures. The second half and last few chapters of the book made up for it and became much more touching.

In summary, this isn’t a groundbreaking novel, but it is special and unique in some ways. There are a lot worse ways to spend your time.