Book Review: ‘Stoner’ by John Williams

Dark Academia made me do it.

If it wasn't for our podcast, The Dark Academicals, I probably would never have read ‘Stoner’ by John Williams.

I have some very mixed feelings about this book. For the most part, it was disappointing. But I also feel like I'll carry parts of it with me forever… Whether I want to or not.

Here's the summary, in case you need it:

“William Stoner enters the University of Missouri at nineteen to study agriculture. A seminar on English literature changes his life, and he never returns to work on his father's farm. Stoner becomes a teacher. He marries the wrong woman. His life is quiet, and after his death, his colleagues remember him rarely.

Yet with truthfulness, compassion and intense power, this novel uncovers a story of universal value - of the conflicts, defeats and victories of the human race that pass unrecorded by history - and in doing so reclaims the significance of an individual life.”

My initial thoughts on this book: I don't get it. There is so much hype for ‘Stoner’, and although I was prepared to not be fully aboard the hype train, I thought it was was going to be a solid read.

Unfortunately, there is so much of this book that is more miss than hit. And that sticker on the front of the cover? “The greatest novel you've never read”. Oh, please.

William Stoner is a professor of ennui. He struck as me as one of those people who is forever a bit sad and unsatisfied with their lot. Like, on paper, he's done incredibly well for himself considering the time in which he lives, his circumstances, and the situations he finds himself in.

I think the overall feeling of dissatisfaction is what I'll never be able to shake when I think about this book.

We featured ‘Stoner' on our latest episode of the podcast, so to see how we analysed it in terms of Dark Academia, make sure you check it out.

From just a neutral reader's perspective, I'm really struggling to say anything interesting to review this book. I didn't really enjoy it, I found the characters flat, or not fully utilised to their potential. The story doesn't really go anywhere. And the ending is just… mid.

‘Stoner' clearly isn't for me. I'm not the target audience. If ‘Stoner is in fact your jam, I'm glad for you.

Eh.

Next.

Written (begrudgingly) by Sarah