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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
04/29/25
Every love story is a ghost story. There may not be a better way to encapsulate this book. The beauty of the work cannot be understated, it is the most profoundly sad and delicate and real piece of literature I have ever read and will likely read again. It is perfectly crafted. Williams' experiences have opened the literary world to him in such a way to allow him the ability to create such a penetrating story. My goodness. If I was being sent to a remote island and allowed with me only 5 books, this book would honorably make the list. If not for the writing style alone, but for the brilliance of the development and action and.... there is a never ending amount of things I may write about his book and still not be able to convey the brilliance of this work. Just read the first page or hell even the first paragraph, if you don't fall into the story with a savagery, ripping through the pages like an animal, well then, maybe it is a read for another time. But to have lived and died without reading Stoner is a grave injustice. One may as well never have lived at all. Thank you, John, this is a masterpiece, a real masterpiece. I can hardly wait to dive into your other works and be with your words for more time.
I have only finished this book today. Surely as I sit longer and the story fully solidifies in my mind I will have more to say. That, and it is late and time for slumber. But perhaps I may say a few more words before I go. One, this book has made me feel profoundly less alone. The quiet wars which rage amongst the pages of this book are some of the very same that rage inside my mind. What is Love? What is work? What is toil? For what reason do we live and love and toil? Is there a point to suffering? Is there a point to suffering in the worst of possible ways, over and over again? I thank you, Williams, for bringing these questions to the fore in such a beautiful way, it is almost unnoticible and yet right there, in front of our eyes. Stoner's toil was in the service of Love and there can never be anything undertaken in the service and spirit of love which can be rotten. The absence of love is felt. Meaning and love are partners in the most intimate way possible. Meaning, to be meaningful is to in some way be done or acted on in the service of love. What that means I know not yet, but there is something here between the relationship of toil and meaning and love that jumps at me like a frog.
Every love story is a ghost story. There may not be a better way to encapsulate this book. The beauty of the work cannot be understated, it is the most profoundly sad and delicate and real piece of literature I have ever read and will likely read again. It is perfectly crafted. Williams' experiences have opened the literary world to him in such a way to allow him the ability to create such a penetrating story. My goodness. If I was being sent to a remote island and allowed with me only 5 books, this book would honorably make the list. If not for the writing style alone, but for the brilliance of the development and action and.... there is a never ending amount of things I may write about his book and still not be able to convey the brilliance of this work. Just read the first page or hell even the first paragraph, if you don't fall into the story with a savagery, ripping through the pages like an animal, well then, maybe it is a read for another time. But to have lived and died without reading Stoner is a grave injustice. One may as well never have lived at all. Thank you, John, this is a masterpiece, a real masterpiece. I can hardly wait to dive into your other works and be with your words for more time.
I have only finished this book today. Surely as I sit longer and the story fully solidifies in my mind I will have more to say. That, and it is late and time for slumber. But perhaps I may say a few more words before I go. One, this book has made me feel profoundly less alone. The quiet wars which rage amongst the pages of this book are some of the very same that rage inside my mind. What is Love? What is work? What is toil? For what reason do we live and love and toil? Is there a point to suffering? Is there a point to suffering in the worst of possible ways, over and over again? I thank you, Williams, for bringing these questions to the fore in such a beautiful way, it is almost unnoticible and yet right there, in front of our eyes. Stoner's toil was in the service of Love and there can never be anything undertaken in the service and spirit of love which can be rotten. The absence of love is felt. Meaning and love are partners in the most intimate way possible. Meaning, to be meaningful is to in some way be done or acted on in the service of love. What that means I know not yet, but there is something here between the relationship of toil and meaning and love that jumps at me like a frog.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really don't get it. This would shouldn't work.
It definitely does. Worse, it was hard to put it down
It definitely does. Worse, it was hard to put it down
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A melancholic trip into a simple mans life. So simple but so beautiful. Winter read for sure.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Vaag herinnerde hij zich dat hij aan mislukking had gedacht - alsof het iets uitmaakte. Nu scheen het hem toe dat dergelijke gedachten gemeen waren, ongepast voor wat zijn leven was geweest."
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
i miss him too!!
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Death of parent, War
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Pregnancy
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
Incoherent thoughts after reading
"What did you expect?"
Life is a series of events, many of which we look back upon and wish we could have changed.
The majority of people only experience a handful of life decisions or changes. These are the focal points for people to look back upon and regret or reminisce.
We see our lives as something incredible, and that we will do numerous special and impactful things. But we continue on our dreary day-to-day exploits, never reaching these lofty goals.
Things don't/never turn out how we expect. From a marriage to raising a child. We wish to feel these emotions, these accomplishments, and view these beautiful stories and experiences that life has to offer, but we find ourselves just pushing along through life. We might get these flashes of inspiration to alter our course and strive towards the life we pictured in our informative years, but these inspirations never last the slow weathering that life sustains.
"What did you expect?"
Life is a series of events, many of which we look back upon and wish we could have changed.
The majority of people only experience a handful of life decisions or changes. These are the focal points for people to look back upon and regret or reminisce.
We see our lives as something incredible, and that we will do numerous special and impactful things. But we continue on our dreary day-to-day exploits, never reaching these lofty goals.
Things don't/never turn out how we expect. From a marriage to raising a child. We wish to feel these emotions, these accomplishments, and view these beautiful stories and experiences that life has to offer, but we find ourselves just pushing along through life. We might get these flashes of inspiration to alter our course and strive towards the life we pictured in our informative years, but these inspirations never last the slow weathering that life sustains.
