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A review by spoetnik
Stoner by John Williams
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Stoner is a remarkably realistic biography of a normal, average American man described in the most realistic language one can imagine. At first glance nothing special really happens in the novel and nothing truly sublime and profound is expounded by the author. This is however exactly the beauty and power of the work: a gripping, devastating story about your average Joe and how he faces the obstacles fate throws at the average man on a regular basis.
With a 'bleak' and stoic outlook on life inherited by his farmer parents, Stoner experiences hardship upon hardship yet keeps on working at his University until the day he dies. Themes of hard work, love and honouring ones principles mixed with an in-the-face realistic style of writing and an arguably perfect literary structure make this work a masterclass of writing and only after finishing it I realized how much it gripped and fascinated me.
In my opinion, the true heroes of the world are people like Stoner, that show perspicacity in the face of devastating adversity, hold the weight of their principles above the weight of personal advancement and remain faithful to their passion.
With a 'bleak' and stoic outlook on life inherited by his farmer parents, Stoner experiences hardship upon hardship yet keeps on working at his University until the day he dies. Themes of hard work, love and honouring ones principles mixed with an in-the-face realistic style of writing and an arguably perfect literary structure make this work a masterclass of writing and only after finishing it I realized how much it gripped and fascinated me.
In my opinion, the true heroes of the world are people like Stoner, that show perspicacity in the face of devastating adversity, hold the weight of their principles above the weight of personal advancement and remain faithful to their passion.