Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Stoner by John Williams

23 reviews

asililydying's review against another edition

Mediocrity. What feels like a pleasant literary self-awakening for a while; quickly reveals itself as deeply stumped into a mild glamorization of living apathetically. Edith exists only as fodder for the male reader to froth over; she could reasonably be a product of the period, if there wasn't so much hammering in of 'conspiracies against Stoner' and wild irrationality in her every essence. Not to mention the fact that Stoner begins their relationship by raping her! I am well aware depiction does not equal endorsement, but I have to wonder what the point of Stoner is; as a character. He has so much potential, but is quickly made into a brainless automaton who actively encourages the worthlessness of his life. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

raffia's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Infidelity

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcoholism, Rape, and War

lamotte's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Pretty much a perfect novel, in terms of form and style. A thoughtful portrait of an ordinary life in all its modest disappointments and achievements, and gives particular insight into the emotionally reserved, uptight culture of early 20th century white America. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Emotional abuse

kydnmthws's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

”What did you expect?”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Death of parent

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism

reggiewoods's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

William Stoner is proof that you don’t have to be remarkable to have an impact on someone’s life. He’s an ordinary college professor whose career spans both World Wars. While his mundane ways may seem boring to his family and colleagues, Stoner’s pedestrian life makes him all the more relatable and sympathetic. An outsider may consider Stoner unfortunate, but Williams makes us feel his devastation with him. Stoner stands out as one of the more memorable characters in twentieth century literature, if for nothing other than his staunch refusal to compromise his principles. While the narrative lacks action, I didn’t feel that it ever got slow. Despite its heart-rending plot, Stoner simultaneously is a celebration of the everyman and the simple life. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Medical content, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Grief, Rape, Emotional abuse, Death, and Gaslighting

lief_'s review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Infidelity

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Cancer, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and War

Minor: Alcoholism

samarakroeger's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

the marital r*pe scenes caught me off guard but I guess it was unfortunately par for the course in those days. 

William Stoner is an incredibly awkward and passive-aggressive protagonist. The book is sad, slow, and deeply melancholic as it follows his tiny little life at the University of Missouri during the Greatest Generation. I found him frustrating, but in a way that makes a compelling book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Ableism, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Rape

julie123's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape

cherryredmarlene's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was very slow and in depth about different aspect of the life of one character, but that’s EXACTLY what tickles my pickle so good for myself. I can however see how this could be boring for some.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Ableism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and War

Moderate: Addiction

iolexx's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape