Stoner by John Williams
The son of a Midwestern farmer, William Stoner comes to the University of Missouri in 1910 to study agriculture. He had intended to return home and take over his father's farm - but instead, inspired by the professor of English literature, he remains at the university to teach. Stoner tells of love and conflict, passion and responsibility against the backdrop of academic life in the early 20th century. Powerfully and movingly written, Stoner is a study of a dedicated man relentlessly committed to honesty in himself and in his dealings with others. The truth of one man's unassuming life can rarely have been captured with such skill and beauty.
"I was stunned by it.. It’s beautifully written in simple but brilliant prose, a novel of an ordinary life, an examination of a quiet tragedy, the work of a great but little-known writer" -- Ruth Rendell * Guardian *
"A masterpiece of sad lucidity, as moving as it is psychologically compelling" -- Peter Kemp * Sunday Times *
"It is a remarkably affecting story, told in quiet, unshowy prose" -- Stefan Collini * Times Literary Supplement *
"In recent times I have owed more to word of mouth than to the statements of reviewers, when it comes to finding my way to rewarding work published or reissued… This is also true, or truer still, of Stoner" -- Karl Miller * Times Literary Supplement *
"My favourite book of the year...a masterpiece—beautifully written with a rare tenderness and wisdom that will make you want to read it again" -- Jonathan Pugh * Daily Mail *
"A masterpiece of sad lucidity, as moving as it is psychologically compelling" -- Peter Kemp * Sunday Times *
"It is a remarkably affecting story, told in quiet, unshowy prose" -- Stefan Collini * Times Literary Supplement *
"In recent times I have owed more to word of mouth than to the statements of reviewers, when it comes to finding my way to rewarding work published or reissued… This is also true, or truer still, of Stoner" -- Karl Miller * Times Literary Supplement *
"My favourite book of the year...a masterpiece—beautifully written with a rare tenderness and wisdom that will make you want to read it again" -- Jonathan Pugh * Daily Mail *
In addition to the National Book Award, John Williams has been recognized with numerous awards for his prolific literary work. Before retiring to Arkansas with his wife, Nancy, he taught at the University of Denver and directed the writing programme there. He died in 1994 at the age of seventy-one, survived by his wife, three children and four stepchildren.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780099445098 |
| ISBN 10 | 0099445093 |
| Title | Stoner |
| Author | John Williams |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Vintage Publishing |
| Year published | 2003-02-06 |
| Number of pages | 288 |
| Prizes | Winner of Waterstones Book of the Year 2013 (UK), Winner of Publisher’s Publicity Circle Awards:Nielsen Award for a Generic Campaign 2014 (UK) |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |