#1 in Classics
Stoner
- 293
- Pages
- about 5 h
- Reading time
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About the book
Stoner is a 1965 novel by the American writer John Williams. Published on April 23, 1965 by Viking Press, the novel received little attention on first release, but saw a surge of popularity and critical praise since its republication in the 2000s. It has been championed by authors such as Julian Barnes, Ian McEwan, Bret Easton Ellis, and John McGahern.
Where the score comes from
The sources average 8.8 across 944 ratings. With that many, the reader vote carries 84% of the weight and the score stays at 8.6 — the Classics average of 7.6 barely moves it.
| Source | Average | Ratings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Library | 8.6 | 47 | 5% |
| Hardcover | 8.8 | 897 | 95% |
Reader voices
The most-liked reviews on Hardcover (credited to their authors).
“A masterpiece of quiet introspection, "Stoner" is John William's magnum opus, and nothing short of a literary triumph. Williams' prose is beautifully understated, yet profoundly impactful. The way he captures the nuances of Stoner's life — from his passionate love for literature to the heartbreak of personal relationships — is nothing less than poetic. What struck me most about "Stoner" is its exploration of resilience in the face of adversity. As Stoner navigates the disappointments and betrayals in his life, his quiet determination becomes a source of inspiration. The novel is a poignant rem…”
“I knew this book was going to either make me drag my feet through it, or I'd have a good time overall. I'm glad that I fell into the latter category. I derived enjoyment mainly because the book appealed to my existentialist side, exploring how meaningless life can be if we don't create our own meaning for it. Most of pop culture explores the explosive and dramatic importance of humans and humanity (which I don't have anything against), but I also find it refreshing to read something that's just so quietly and timidly insignificant, even though it's sad and a little horrifying to think about.…”
“This book made me feel repressed depression and depressed repression. IMHO not quite as perfect as people say but I would still recommend this to just about anybody. What can I say, it was amazing. Maybe I'll re-read this when I'm 75 and give it 5 stars.”
Frequently asked
What is Stoner rated?
8.6 out of 10, from 944 reader ratings across 2 independent sources.
Is Stoner worth reading?
Readers give it 8.6/10 from 944 ratings, which puts it ahead of 100 % of the Classics shelf.
How long does it take to read Stoner?
About 5 hours at an average reading pace — 293 pages.
Where does Stoner rank?
#1 in Classics on the current snapshot.
How long is Stoner?
It has 293 pages — longer than 60% of the ranked books in Classics.
If you liked this
Same shelf — Classics — with scores between 8.1 and 8.3, closest to this book.
