This was an unusual charity shop find. Having rekindled my love for reading after completing To Kill a Mockingbird (blog pending!), I was doubtful I’d find anything as gripping for a long time. This was partially correct, since Stoner was an initially dull read about life which became one I couldn’t stop thinking about. In hindsight, its mundane aspect was the entire point of the novel.
Readers follow the life of William Stoner (no, he was not an actual stoner) from his first day at the University of Missouri in 1910 until his demise after lecturing at the university, experiencing heartbreak and discovering the complexities of fatherhood. That is honestly all there is to it! Williams writes eloquently, with incredible detail and explores the intricate inner thoughts of a somewhat contented man throughout his life. It was difficult not to be attached to him and the vivid characters in Stoner’s simple relationship circle. Similar to that of a reality show, you become slightly obsessed with every aspect of his life, despite vaguely knowing what is to come.
Stoner is regarded as a Campus novel based on its prime setting on the university campus. With that in mind, there were many pages of references to famous writers such as Shakespeare, Keats and references to Anglo-Saxon Poetry, which were apt for the storyline however I did have to cheekily skip over! Otherwise, it was a classic depressing old book, growing in popularity according to a Guardian article in 2013, so a bit of a cult classic! I’d give it a 4/5 as I was moved by the end and reminded of the futility of life throughout.
Amber Reads something 