John Williams / Stoner
John Edward Williams (29.08.1922 - 03.03.1994) was an American author, editor and professor. He was best known for his novels Stoner (1965) and Augustus (1972). The latter won a U.S. National Book Award.
My first and aftewards unchanged impression - this novel is worth of reading. Although it won't like everyone. Why?
For two reasons:
---the novel doesn't include any funny or thrilling moments - this novel is smooth;
---the novel is about time (in my humble opinion).
Why is the novel about time?
Because on pages we are observing the protagonist from youth to death. We are scrutinizing his face and see his life through pictures of the book. I said earlier that I didn't like novels in which the protagonist “is meeting his own death” and I would say it further in spite of greatness or mediocrity of a book.
Why have I read it?
I don't know definitely, but I have to say I've got a little bit more pleasure during reading this novel than from last couple books I've read.
В общем, все большее удовольствие я получаю от «писанины» на английском, хотя уверен что пишу еще довольно неграмотно.
Джон Уильямс редкий автор с редкими книгами. И "Stoner", как мне показалось после прочтения краткой биографии Уильямса, - довольно автобиографичное произведение, что, конечно же, не умаляет достоинств произведения.