Stoner by John Williams

My brother and I don't always agree on movies and books.  While I love him dearly, he's drawn to movies like The Piano which I suffered through years ago and tried hard to like but couldn't. Maybe he's just more intellectual than I am, so when we recommend books to one another, we are sometimes disappointed that the other sibling doesn't love it like we do. However, this time I loved his recommendation. But it's going to be very hard to say why.

Stoner (this has nothing to do with being stoned, BTW) is simply the story of a man's life from beginning to end. He's raised on a farm in Missouri in the late 1800's and early 1900's, goes to college, and becomes an English professor. He is likable enough but certainly not charming and lovable. No matter how he is disappointed or beaten in his life, he plods on through and takes what life gives him. The people in his life do not always treat him well, and he, in turn, mistreats many of them. So far, the book sounds pretty awful, doesn't it? Well, once you make it through the first quarter of the book, I predict you will be captivated. There is something about the writing - it is exquisite. You will be completely transported to the University of Missouri and sit with him in his office, his home, his campus.

I wouldn't recommend this book to many of my friends who insist on powerful plot-driven books. However, BT, I think you would definitely like this, and since you are practically the only person who will read this, I'll leave this note for you. My only suggestions are to give it a chance by reading 50 pages or so before you give up, and do NOT read the Introduction before you read the book. I think it's silly to have an introduction that gives away the entire plot. I started to realize what it was doing and quickly moved on to the book itself. I'll read the Intro now that I've finished the book.

So now I need to write my brother and thank him. - June