/lit/ - Literature

[Anonymous No.16901451]

I don't get it, why is it so good? Maybe some of you who understand literature better can explain this to me.

This uneventful plot should bore me, but it doesn't. This passive "loser" of a protagonist should anger me, but instead I sympathize with him. The whole thing seems completely pointless, but it doesn't feel like it.

What did Williams do to achieve that? Nothing I can figure out.

[Anonymous No.16901501]

>>16901451
I asked myself the same thing

[Anonymous No.16901617]

>>16901451
Relatable

[Anonymous No.16901648]

Nothing about it is remarkable. I don't understand the praise that is heaped on this book and that goes for several other authors that have regained popularity through relatively recent NYRB editions

[Anonymous No.16901696]

It's quite simple really, that's the entire appeal of the book. Pretty gentle, inoffensively elegant and naturalistic prose working in a simple pathos. The quality it's often praised for is the stoic protagonist. Stoner is not a particularly emotional character, but I call it pathetic because his numbness itself is what's being passed to the reader, which works fine as a mimetic device if you're willing to accept that the reader also frequently experiences empty, numb disappointment

[Anonymous No.16902055]

>>16901451
It came from the soul and was written with care. Every chapter had a purpose. It's one of those rare books that isn't trying to impress you. Most books call attention to the author and not the content of the novel, which is why this board has author circle jerk threads instead of talking about content. This is one of the few books where people discuss the novel itself rather than discussing whether its attempt to be "innovative" was good or not. Also, this is short, so most people will invest their time into it. A lovely book.

[Anonymous No.16902288]

>>16901451
What drew me into this novel was the fact that it was an examination of an unremarkable life. Stoner wasn't some gifted hero who saves the world nor is he on some quest to discover his true potential. The entire book is literally just a passive look into the life of a literal nobody whose only superior quality is he can read and write English above average.

It is kinda hard to exactly pinpoint why this is appealing other than it is refreshing.

[Anonymous No.16902318]

>>16901451
I think, rather than this book having bad stuff done good is that we have grown used to the the good stuff being done bad, for example:
>"passive loser"
He may be a disgraced man but he doesn't dwell on it and its his struggle against his nature given disgraces that makes him endearing unlike most "losers" in literature that moan and complain about how bad they've had it and justify their missconducts by it.
>pointless
It isn't pointless, it's just not a grand narrative, it's just the story of a quiet man and his life. I'm sure most of us could be able to tell an entertaining story of our lives by the time we're near death's door

In general I think the best thing about this book is encapsulated in the first page. When you first read it it feels like a descriptive, blank, tasteless sumation of what some "Stoner" guy was and did, an uneventful life. But after finishing the book and letting it linger on you for a while I found it extremely hard to read the first page again without being flodded by emotion. It grows in you in a very special way I guess.

[Anonymous No.16902329]

>>16901451
>I don't get it, why is it so good?
>This uneventful plot should bore me, but it doesn't. This passive "loser" of a protagonist should anger me, but instead I sympathize with him. The whole thing seems completely pointless, but it doesn't feel like it.

You already answered that

[Anonymous No.16902346]

>>16902318
well put.

I remember finishing the book I had this overwhelming feeling that i was saying farewell to an old friend. And like you said, after finishing the book there was that great sense of emotion

[Anonymous No.16902374]

>>16902346
A gentleman and a scholar? On lit? What a strange day!

[Anonymous No.16902429]

>>16902374
Shitposting can only be so fun for so long. Every now and then, one must be refreshed with civil discourse.

[Anonymous No.16902511]

>>16902374
You bring up interesting questions in good faith and you'll have a worthwhile conversation. You fling shit and you'll have shit flung right back at you. Perhaps you were a bit slow to notice, but that's how /lit/ tends to work most of the time.

[Anonymous No.16902630]

>>16901451
It's kind of a midwit masterpiece. Admittedly, I've only read half of it. But in terms of characterization, psychological insight, lyricism, there wasn't really anything that hasn't been done much better by other writers. The book is lke a literary version of Stoner himself.

[Anonymous No.16902821]

>>16902630
> there wasn't really anything that hasn't been done much better by other writers
Name them and at what they did it better fag

[Anonymous No.16902835]

>>16901648
Woman.

[Anonymous No.16902853]

>>16901451
Well, OP, you're clearly onto something so why don't you spend some more time thinking about it and expand upon your initial imprints of the book?

[Anonymous No.16902923]

Some people hate him and think hes an irredeemable pos and others completely empathize and can even see him as a hero/winner. I dont think either side is even wrong, I think thats part of what makes it a good book

[Anonymous No.16903621]

>>16901451
Other novels with that feel?

[Anonymous No.16903652]

It was a good experience. The way it guided you through Stoner life feels as if you shared lifestories with a friend. Somehow.

[Anonymous No.16903878]

Life sucks then you die. If it had been written in the first person I think it would be great. It is too factual as it is. Still enjoyed it though.

[Anonymous No.16903892]

>>16903621