A review by duckoffimreading
Stoner by John Williams

dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

Well written but ultimately depressing life account of William Stoner. Stoner grows up on a farm in Missouri, heads to college for an agricultural education but falls headfirst into English and literature. His life follows a series of milestones that are expected: get a degree, get married, have a kid, build a career, midlife crisis (or awakening) and retire/die. Deep seated theme is loneliness. Stoner is alone, indifferent and has no passion for anything. Easily accepts whatever comes his way with an ongoing apathetic attitude. His daughter echoes that attitude but sadly falls into alcoholism to cope. Stoner is a hero but also his own villian…bad things and people happen to him but he just doesn’t have the energy to fight back ever. Easy to follow, surprisingly plot driven given his ho-hum life and I was left feeling sorry for Stoner. Was he ever really happy? How many Americans follow the same path in life?