No joke my coworker asked what I was reading and I was like, it's a book called Stoner but no it's not about what you think it is

I can see that. At times he made me want to pull out my hair, especially with his wife and daughter. I don't relate to him that way at all, but I couldn't stop reading to see what was going to happen to him

Very well said! I kept thinking of how many people I know who seem to fit the bill on the outside. Most of us will not achieve great things, but have to learn to be happy pursuing what we love.

I'm slow haha. Was reading through a bunch of comments in a row and answering people so it went over my head. The last chapter was really good. Anxiety inducing but so good.

That's a strong endorsement!

I'm not usually a fan of academia novels, and I wondered if it would resonate with me. I thought there was a chance it would be too pretentious. I read Rachel Cusk's book Outline because a lot of writers recommended it, and it was good but I didn't love it. That was what I expected.

NYRB is New York Review Books, the most recent publisher. They're known for finding old forgotten gems and re-releasing them. They really do find great old stories and I loved almost everything from them that I've read, but sometimes they're less accessible which is what fear was with Stoner.

Did you think the main character Stoner was too passive? At times it drove me crazy, especially when it came to his daughter and wife. He had little small moments of triumph but man I wish he had more of a spine at times

Seems like everybody on here holds that book in equally high regards so I'm really excited to read it

I own that one as well. It definitely moved up on the TBR pile after finishing Stoner.

Yeah that's probably when the anxiety/dread is most impactful haha