Stoner – John Williams
Named “the greatest American novel you’ve never heard of” by The New Yorker, John Williams’ “Stoner'' certainly earns that distinction with a simple, beautifully woven story about a Midwestern English professor living a remarkably unremarkable life.
Born in Missouri in the late 1800s, William Stoner is sent to college with hopes that he’ll learn how to progress the family farm, only to discover a passion for literature that changes the trajectory of his life.
Instead of returning home, he becomes dedicated to the written word as both a professor and author, but his success is marred by a series of disappointments, including a loveless marriage, professional rivalries and a failed romance.
These details may sound juicy, but there is little plot to the novel. It is essentially the reader settling in for a lifelong friendship with Stoner and hoping that he’ll find a moment of fulfillment and happiness. Spoiler alert: it never really happens.
I don’t say this to turn people away but to caution that this is one of the most intimate stories you’ll ever read. And, like a friendship, that intimacy can build contempt with the decisions our character makes.
What makes “Stoner” so haunting is that it unfolds with a quiet, unassuming pace, yet Williams’ prose is so compelling that I found myself losing hours while listening. I tore through this in three days, because I had to know what happened.
While this could’ve easily aligned to the tropes of white men in classic literature — self-indulgent and privileged — Williams eschewed expectations to craft Stoner with an emotional depth rarely attributed to male characters of that era.
His sensitivity and introspection are both admirable and heartbreaking. He’s a character who evokes empathy and a profound sense of compassion, because he yearns to break free from the quiet life he has accepted out of loyalty for people who don’t respect him.
I’ve read criticism that Stoner is overly victimized, and that his passivity is a form of misogyny because as a man during this time period (roughly 1920s-1950s), he still had all the power. While a provocative take, I believe Williams reveals a more complex character: a man who feels he must always be selfless. This is driven by lingering guilt from essentially abandoning his parents.
The final chapter that finds Stoner on his deathbed, reflecting bitterly on a life filled with unfulfilled potential was one of the biggest literary gut punches I’ve experienced since Hanya Yanagihara’s “A Little Life.”
It’s also clear to see how many writers have tried to match the magic that Williams bottled here but fail to demonstrate how the intricacies of everyday existence can be profoundly compelling with nuance and skill.
Exceptional writing usually aids in a solid narration, but Robin Field was excellent on his own. His voice perfectly captured the era, and the understated tone of the novel. His performance imbued the character of William Stoner with a depth and authenticity that brought him to life.
For readers who usually find themselves disappointed in the classics, this one is the real deal.
Rating (story): 4.5/5 stars
Rating (narration): 4/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (personal library)
Dates read: July 21 – July 24, 2024
Multi-tasking: Not recommended. The writing is so beautiful and nuanced it hurts. If you aren’t paying close attention, you’ll miss the true impact of this quiet story.
