stoner by john williams

I do not often talk fiction here on the blog, but I have just finished a book that blew me away. Stoner by John Williams often pops up on lists of Best Books You Have Never Read, or Best Books You Have Never Heard Of. Occasionally a writer that you know and love will list it as one of their favorite books. The title kept coming up over and over again and this is how I came to read the book. From the beginning I was left speechless. No, I am not in the habit of talking while reading, but I did find myself with my hand clutched over my mouth, gob smacked by the words I was reading. The Great Gatsby is often referred to as the great American novel. F. Scott wishes he could write like this. If he had ever read Stoner it would have sent him into fits of low self esteem that lasted years.

I read the book on the kindle, but am going to save my pennies and purchase a used hardcover edition ($50ish) because this is book that I am going to read again and again, maybe I will make it my first book to read every year. Book lovers on my holiday list can expect a copy.

 

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