Stoner

I cannot think of another book I've read with such a passive protagonist and relatively unremarkable narrative that I've enjoyed as much as this.

And I think that mostly comes down to the prose. I really love books in which the writing style matches the themes of the story and sets a tone through which to experience it.

William Stoner is almost just an observer to most of the events throughout his life and the sort of vague, disconnected narration emphasises this. Conversations are often described rather than transcribed. Stoner's actions and decisions are, besides a few key moments, just things he is resigned to by circumstance. Certain characters act antagonisticly towards him while he, and the reader, barely see any evidence of why they would behave that way.

Though that leads to why this wasn't quite a home run for me. It feels “true to life” to not completely understand the actions of some of the other characters, and the same can be said for events that cause a disruption in Stoner's life and are then quickly moved on from, but that isn't the most satisfying story to read (though that could certainly be the intent of the author).

This was a great book club pick though because I can see from our Goodreads reviews that opinions of it are all over the place, haha.