STONER by John Williams
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2019
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A review of John Williams's 1965 book, STONER.
Thanks to @Beyond the Epilogue for sparking my interest in doing a John Williams video. Check out her video of Butcher's Crossing here: / @beyondtheepilogueagnes
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Great review. What I remember the most is his relationship with his daughter. The image of her learning to read as a little girl, on the floor in his home office, is so memorable and yet so sad when compared to how her life unfolds.
Yes, that element really struck me (especially as a father of a daughter).
I have a copy of Stoner that has been languishing on my bookshelf for around ten years. Thanks to you and other book tubers, I came to read it last month. When I finished reading I felt as though I had lived another life. The ending was exquisite. Stoner will always remain with me. Thank you so much for bringing this novel to my attention.
I’ve yet to hear from someone whom Stoner did not impact. What a great achievement! So glad you connected with it. All my best.
I haven’t found another writer who can make me feel like I’ve lived another life quite like John Williams. His other great novels, “Butcher’s Crossing” and “Augustus,” do the same thing. One of the most underrated writers ever!
I just finished this book last night. It's absolutely wonderful. One of the best I've ever read.
I'm getting that itch to pick it back up soon...
Just finished this book in a single day, and my heart absolutely melted for Stoner.
Just finished Stoner in two sittings, i couldn't stop reading. So beautiful and sad. Those characters stay with you, i found myself shouting at Lomax and Walker. This novel had me exasperated at times and then happy. Extraordinary novel. Great review, subscribed!
Hello there! You're right; this book is still with me every day. It's time to give it a reread. Thanks for subscribing!
Sometimes when I read a book that I reaaaaaally identify with, I feel incredibly lonely afterwards. First of all, yes, I definitely identify with Stoner's underwhelming life, in which he chases the grail but does not find it. It's the kind of book that I feel sad afterward because I can trhust it into people's hands and hope that they will read it, but I know most people won't, and most who do won't "get it" the way I felt I did.
I totally get this sentiment. Reading is an incredibly intimate and personal experience. Heather Cass White talks about such feelings in her book on reading (Books Promiscuously Read). Some books become inextricably bound to our personhood, extensions of our soul. -By the way, I used to subscribe to a magazine called PhilosophyNow; have you anything to do with that?
Nobody finds the grail, the pursuit is all we have.
Just to add a little more to that point about the juxtaposition between the fathers’ funerals and the closeness to the land: when Williams describes Stoner’s father’s burial, he notes that Stoner’s father’s grave is covered with brown dirt, while at Edith’s father’s burial he makes note of synthetic green grass, highlighting the natural and artificial (and giving us as readers a few different things to grasp at to catch the distinction and that there is in fact a connection).
Such an insightful, in-depth review! Really enjoyed your observations. I’m always drawn to campus novels and Stoner is easily one of the greatest novels in that genre. Looking forward to your review of Butcher’s Crossing and thanks for the shout-out!
First of all I couldn't be more pleased that I found your channel. It is simply amazing. Now I know what I will be doing in the following days during my reading breaks ❤
Second of all I am so with you when it comes to annotating books! I've been trying to convince people that it is not only all right but almost absolutely necessary to mark, highlight, underline and write our own comments on the margins. It is our conversation with the text and it helps to understand it so beautifully. It is a unique experience.
And last but not least Stoner in one of my favorite books of all time. I remember reading it for the first time a few years ago and being left speechless. I think I've read the last sentence like a hundred times. it is that moving. I agree with basically all you say about it.
I think that is all I wanted say for now. Thank you for taking the time and putting effort into making your videos and simply brightening our days. I truly appreciate that ❤
Take care and see you in another video in just a few minutes :D
Wow! Sounds liked we are kindred spirits! Thanks so much for the kind remarks. It is a real joy to share my love of literature with so many others. Hope I continue to "see" you around. Take care!
I finished it for the first time this morning and was deeply moved by it. I knew a bit what to expect but still found it so powerful. A real gem of a book. Enjoyed your video on it as always!
Thanks! I agree, of course-this book makes a huge impact. I already want to read it again.
This is the first time I watch your channel. Yours is such a generous review. With this I mean that you have covered so much in this great and beautiful and melancholic novel. I strongly believe that all this about a "regular life", is just the outsiders' and by this I mean society's issue. As if outsiders should be judging. Stoner had a rich inner world. Even the last line on the book so beautifully depicts his true love and immersion and surrender in the joy of his books. This is a great, indispensable novel that reminded me of the perils of the expectations of others. In this sense, Stoner was so brave.
Very well put, and I wholeheartedly agree!
Lifelong reader, I was struggling with severe book withdrawal. Enter Stoner and I could not put it down. The most important aspect of this novel for me is the dogged pursuit of what all readers of literature will recognize. Stoner continues his reading by sharing it with his students. And when he must stop teaching, he dies. I know that it doesn't happen quite like that, but in one year, he will not have any choice.
One of my favorite books ever. So surprising to me that it is so little talked about .. A beautiful telling of a pure introvert’s life.
So glad to hear it resonates with you! I’m going to be reading his book Butcher’s Crossing soon.
@@LeafbyLeaf I’ve been waiting for it at my library
I finished the book one hour ago, and i'm trying to fully understand the meaning of the book to the core. His life was so sad.. The saddest thing was him and kathryn breaking up, and the relationship with grace. But i'm glad because this character showed me to follow your beliefs no matter what. Thank you john williams, may you rest in peace.
It definitely demands re-reading. Quite right the emotion with his relationship to mistress and daughter. They got me too. Following a passion through to the end, despite circumstance, and without even the promise of anything more than a normal, perfunctory life, devoid of recognition, is indeed a powerful message and a more sober look at the typical literary protagonist.
@@LeafbyLeaf Stoner's life might look depressing but his passion of literature defined his life. He had a good life. That is the essence of the book. He is a hero in the real sense. He liked what he did and lived to do it.
Very well put and I agree completely! Living your life for the journey itself and not some end goal.
@@LeafbyLeaf Thank you so much for this review. This book changed my life in a beautiful way. It helped me discover the love of literature. My family life was very similar to that of Stoner's daughter. I found this book at a time when I was completely hopeless about life. It helped me learn that if you love something wholeheartedly, no obstacle can stop you from living a good life. This book literally helped me transform from Grace to Stoner.
Oh, that is wonderful! Like the protagonist here, it is such a treasure to have been struck by the joys of literature. Those who have truly tasted will be hooked for life.
such an excellent review, loved your observations. just finished stoner for the first time and its serene and delicate ending is yet to settle with me. can't wait to pick it up again when i'm in a later stage in life and reflect on its nuances since i can't really put into words how lovely and truly sincere it is yet.
I read this novel in Chinese, due to the translation i can't actually feel the exact temperature behind those words, but the story has grabbed my heart. I purchased the original English version of it , hope the language won't be the barrier of my reading experience. I've seen a lot of videos of yours and i can totally share the same excitement with you when it comes to reading.Thank you for your sharing!
How great to hear from someone who's read this in Chinese! I love your formulation here: " i can't actually feel the exact temperature behind those words." This is how it will be for me when I finally read my English translation of _Dream of the Red Chamber_ . Thanks so much for your kind words. I wish you the best.
@@LeafbyLeaf So glad to hear that you have read Dream of the Red Chamber（红楼梦）！It's a must-read book when i was in high school, so it kinda reminds me of the school years when i spent the most of the time reading. The reason why i can relate to the book is that i live in the same city Jiang ning which is called Nanjing now as the characters. We even have a museum based on the book here. If you have any chance to visit Nanjing, you should definitely check it out! Thank you for replying to me and i really hope to exchange thoughts on Dream of the Red Chamber! :)
I recently came across this book too and I was enthralled. Amazing read. Loving the channel!
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Great review. Thanks for your video. Agree that some moments of the book are just too beautiful to put into words.
You've got an awesome bookshelf, telescope, typewriter set up there too, someday id like something like that. Looks cozy
Thanks so much! This library is a dream come true. We built this place back in 2017, and my one job was to spec out the library. :-)
Awesome review as ever! You never betray my expectations! Thanks again!
Marina Maccagni you are so kind! Thanks for watching.
Just finished this book… It blew me away…. I will never forget it… Could see Tom Hanks playing the older Stoner…
Isn't it so wonderful?!
Yes it was... So glad I came across it ..Some books just get you and this did ..
Precisely.
Casey Affleck is cast to play Stoner in an upcoming movie adaptation. Which is a great choice, considering his performance in Manchester by the Sea.
@@lotanowo oh how wonderful a film to be made... Thanks for letting me know
Wow! Your point number 2 is powerful. Love is indeed such a key to the entire novel.
Thanks, Glenn! How nice of you to drop by the channel. Hope all is well with you.
James! Wharton! Dreiser! Lawrence! All cited in one review woohoo! Your discussion just further piqued my interest in reading Stoner. Looking forward to more literary discussions. Good luck with your channel! 📚
Mary Tumulty Ah, then my job is done here! I hope you enjoy the book. Look forward to “seeing” you around. Thanks so much!
This one just showed up in my "feed". Stoner is surely one of the five or six Best Books I Ever Read (!) -- right up there with Arabia Felix, The Ten Thousand Things, Moby Dick, Little, Big, etc. etc. I remember how about halfway through reading it, I'd get a little sense of dread when I picked it up. "Isn't this guy ever going to catch a break ?!?!" Anyhow, I've always thought Williams's award for Augustus was kind of an Elizabeth Taylor prize, you know, she got her Oscar for surviving all those hospitalizations. Williams got the award because "they" knew he had deserved it for Stoner. Another NYRB note: I wish they'd honored his wishes to forget Nothing But The Night. The novel's not much good, but the biographical notes, and the interview with his wife are well worth reading. Take Care!
Love seeing people who connected with Moby-Dick and Little, Big--great books! Thanks for giving me that input on Nothing But the Night (I have not read that yet). All my best to you!
For all that love this book you’ve got to read “Hunger” by Knut Hamsun if you haven’t already. The only book that compares to “Stoner”. It’s just exquisite!!! Love to see a review done on that book here :)
You know, I was just eyeing my copy of Hamsun’s MYSTERIES and thinking of reviewing it here. I read HUNGER, I think, about 8 years ago. It is exquisite. Comparable to Kafka’s “The Hunger Artist” in the protagonist’s dedication to dignity and pride over sustenance. It is hazy in my mind now but I remember the atmosphere, the tone. Definitely a strong book. So many choices! Thanks for the nudge toward Hamsun!
Leaf by Leaf I ordered “The Hunger Artist”. Appreciate the reference!
I think it’s his best short story.
This is brilliant!
Cheers!
This will be my first book of 2020, thanks for your perspective. I love your room there *dream room*
Thanks so much! Stop back by and let me know how you liked it.
@@LeafbyLeaf you got it! There is a channel "Big hard books and classics" doing a read of Mason & Dixon this year. I want to do it and want to invite you along as well. Your insight would be awesome, let's do it! :D check my brand new channel and any tips are appreciated
@@LeafbyLeaf I finished Stoner and posted my take on it. Please check it out and let me know if I am on point or what. You really sold me on that one and I ain't mad at ya! Beautiful story, told beautifully... Thank you, brother
Nothing is more enjoyable and gratifying than watching your video before and after reading the book. Just completed the book so now watching your video(again) to solidify my reading experience. It’s my favourite. What are your views on Edith and Lomax as characters? I consider them to be a great pair of protagonists in Stoner’s life.
Thanks
Many thanks for your kind words (as always), Lalit! Unfortunately, after scraping my memory of the book, I can't come up with anything substantive about Edith and Lomax. This is an indication that it's probably time for a reread!
@@LeafbyLeaf They are of very different kind but very very strong villains, in my opinion . I know your schedule is packed for the year but would greatly appreciate your views on the matter.
woah, you're a computer scientist? i get you, i feel the same way, after some years wrapping my head around science stuff, it was a life changer to discover the power storytelling has to convey what humanity and consciousness are.
Well said! I always think of Novalis, who said, "Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason." Yet--technology does, after all, pay for my bills...and my books.
Leaf by Leaf although, there is a lot of cool stuff in science history, I was amazed at how Pynchon and DFW integrated a lot of their knowledge into their works, especially the latter, he got me very interested into gödel, cantor and philosophy, I don’t know how his book oblivion was received, but it got me very interested into the process of consciousness and language, dang, language really is all we have at the end
@@omarelric Have you ever read any Douglas R. Hofstadter? Based on what you're saying I think you would find a feast in Gödel, Escher, Bach and Le Ton Beau de Marot: In Praise of the Music of Language.
Leaf by Leaf not yet, I might check it out, cheers, great yt channel btw
@@omarelric Thanks so much! Hope to hear more from you.
Odd but I'm also currently finishing a bachelor's in computer science haha, I finished Stoner towards the end of 2022. The notion that life's real beauty is not on the surface but in the in-between moments really resonated with me
Nice to meet a fellow traveler! 👋
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I love Stoner - one of my favorite books! Have you read Butcher's Crossing? If so, can you review it? I just finished reading BC and it's glorious. Kind of reminds me of Moby Dick. The film Butcher's Crossing starring Nicholas Cage is scheduled to be released in the US on October 20th.
there is no much sympathy from the writer to his hero: Stoner is a clever and sensitive man with not much courage.
Stoner is a coward: a weak man that does not dare to take any risk in his life.
He finds a modest job with a modest salary in a modest, depressive, academic environment; he is not brave enough to confront his wife, his doughter, his mistress, his colleagues.
He sacrifies his great love and ideal relationship to “stability” and “safety” of his misery position at home and university.
Everything in his existence is rather a disappointment.
You mentioned a few campus novels. You named "The Halls of Academe". Who is the author? I can't seem to find it.
Oops! It’s THE GROVES OF ACADEME by Mary McCarthy. Sorry about that!
@@LeafbyLeaf Thanks! I just found your channel and really like it. Keep up the good work. :)
Thanks so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I have a lot of upcoming content.
Good review, good hair.
Thanks! :)
Liam Neeson has a son who does book reviews?
I get that all the time!
@@LeafbyLeaf BTW, I'm subscribing and putting "Stoner" in the cue!
Awesome! Thanks! I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Stoner doesn't seem anything like a stoic to me. He can be resolved however in something like or resembling the real world by reckoning with culture and cultural leaders. The book is a deft battering ram of contempt. A rant, a vent!
One wonders how many modernist authors joined the trend over the years?! Perhaps it was just a fad, that is quietly receding? Could be. But then Dover, Delaware isn't exactly Dover, England: although the U.S. version is perhaps just as fundamentally cheerful? I'd be more than happy to find out.
It’s hard to believe it’s already been 2 years since I read this. Three elements of the novel are still with me: Stoner’s deviation from “the family business”; his prowess of literary conviction; and that perfect bittersweet ending with his daughter (if I remember correctly). I think it’s time to revisit this one.
@@LeafbyLeaf Staying active is a good way to be. And a campus in the countryside might have been a whole lot better for the guy!? One day.