StonerStoner
Score Classic
What it's about
William Stoner is born at the end of the 19th century into a poor Missouri farming family. Sent to the state university to study agriculture, he falls in love with English literature and becomes a teacher. Over the years come disappointments: an unhappy marriage, a stalled career, a daughter turned against him and a love that ends under threat of scandal. Yet he finds meaning in his quiet life.
Why it's worth reading
Largely forgotten after its publication in 1965, it was rediscovered fifty years later and became an international bestseller. Many readers call it a perfect novel.
You'll love it if you liked
Gilead
The Remains of the Day
A Gentleman in MoscowGood to know
It's quiet and sad, but beautiful. It's short and can be read in a weekend.
By the numbers
- Readers97 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller34 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #79 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #218 of the 762 classics we rank
- #683 of the 2,816 books we rank
Reads as
Moving, Thought-provoking
More by John Williams
If you like this, read next
The Color Purple
The Caine Mutiny
East of Eden
I, Claudius
A Room of One's Own
Angle of ReposeExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Stoner worth reading?
Yes. Largely forgotten after its publication in 1965, it was rediscovered fifty years later and became an international bestseller. It ranks #683 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 76.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Stoner about?
William Stoner is born at the end of the 19th century into a poor Missouri farming family. Sent to the state university to study agriculture, he falls in love with English literature and becomes a teacher. Over the years come disappointments: an unhappy marriage, a stalled career, a daughter turned against him and a love that ends under threat of scandal. Yet he finds meaning in his quiet life.
How long does it take to read Stoner?
About 7 hours (293 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Stoner?
If you liked it, try Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro or A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.