Stoner follows the semi-tragic figure William Stoner, who is born to a poor farming family and sent to university to study agriculture, where he instead becomes devoted to literature. His life as a scholar and professor never goes exactly to plan, and his various relationships seem to drift away from the ideal as well. Yet as his life goes on, Stoner slowly comes to be seen as a hero when contrasted with the cruel world around him.

Texas-born Williams devoted most of his life to studying and teaching literature after returning from World War II, and though he died in 1994. Stoner was rediscovered the following decade and became a bestseller on several continents.

Want to read this month’s Literary Circle book choice and enjoy using an e-reader? You can read Stoner by John Williams for free when you join our eBook Club! See here for more information about the eBook Club and how to sign up and access hundreds of gratis books and audiobooks!

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