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Stoner
by Williams, John
- Used
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- Top of spine gently pulled away from textblock, otherwise a fine copy in lightly rubbed and edgeworn, spine-sunned dust jacket w
- Seller
-
Denver, Colorado, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York: Viking, 1965. First edition, first printing. Yellow cloth-backed boards. Top of spine gently pulled away from textblock, otherwise a fine copy in lightly rubbed and edgeworn, spine-sunned dust jacket with shallow chipping front corners and top of spine, and a small chip lower rear, in mylar cover.. Octavo. 278pp. A MOMENT OF BEING
What is it that makes a novel great? Timing maybe. And time plays strange tricks. Chance? Somewhat fickle in the end. Stoner is a name conjuring some mid-20th century Everyman, surviving obscurity, never really forgotten. John Williams' unassuming novel, set in the world of literary academia between the wars, received scant attention when it appeared in 1965. The New York Review of Books' reissue in 2005 was a modest success and entertained a small collective audience in the States. When bestselling French author Anna Gavalda read the book in English she pushed her publisher, Le Dilettante, to obtain rights to translate. Her translation was published in 2011, and was immediately picked up by major European publishers, and in the Netherlands as well, thereafter ensuring success of a neglected American literary work. At one time relegated to the "campus novel" genre, in the 21st century Stoner has found his soul after all, both here and abroad.
Modern first edition collectors rejoice: a rediscovered classic with a small original print run, a secret loyal following through the years eventually achieving international recognition, the promise of inclusion in the minor canon of modernist literature, and an Ellen Raskin period dust jacket the cherry on the top.
Signed and inscribed by Williams to his former student and fellow writer David Milofsky.
What is it that makes a novel great? Timing maybe. And time plays strange tricks. Chance? Somewhat fickle in the end. Stoner is a name conjuring some mid-20th century Everyman, surviving obscurity, never really forgotten. John Williams' unassuming novel, set in the world of literary academia between the wars, received scant attention when it appeared in 1965. The New York Review of Books' reissue in 2005 was a modest success and entertained a small collective audience in the States. When bestselling French author Anna Gavalda read the book in English she pushed her publisher, Le Dilettante, to obtain rights to translate. Her translation was published in 2011, and was immediately picked up by major European publishers, and in the Netherlands as well, thereafter ensuring success of a neglected American literary work. At one time relegated to the "campus novel" genre, in the 21st century Stoner has found his soul after all, both here and abroad.
Modern first edition collectors rejoice: a rediscovered classic with a small original print run, a secret loyal following through the years eventually achieving international recognition, the promise of inclusion in the minor canon of modernist literature, and an Ellen Raskin period dust jacket the cherry on the top.
Signed and inscribed by Williams to his former student and fellow writer David Milofsky.
Synopsis
John Williams (1922-1994) was born and raised in northeast Texas. Despite a talent for writing and acting, Williams flunked out of a local junior college after his first year. He reluctantly joined the war effort, enlisting in the Army Air Corps, and managing to write a draft of his first novel while there. Once home, Williams found a small publisher for the novel and enrolled at the University of Denver, where he was eventually to receive both his B.A. and M.A., and where he was to return as an instructor in 1954. Williams remained on the staff of the creative writing program at the University of Denver until his retirement in 1985. During these years, he was an active guest lecturer and writer, publishing two volumes of poetry and three novels, Butcher’s Crossing, Stoner , and the National Book Award–winning Augustus . John McGahern (1934-2006) was one of the most acclaimed Irish writers of his generation. His work, including six novels and four collections of short stories, often centered on the Irish predicament, both political and temperamental. Amongst Women , his best-known book, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and made into a popular miniseries. His last book, the memoir All Will Be Wel l, was published shortly before his death.
Reviews
On Jul 15 2014, a reader said:
Every line in this novel is necessary. It's that good.
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Details
- Bookseller
- The Hermitage Bookshop
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 220543
- Title
- Stoner
- Author
- Williams, John
- Format/Binding
- Yellow cloth-backed boards
- Book Condition
- Used - Top of spine gently pulled away from textblock, otherwise a fine copy in lightly rubbed and edgeworn, spine-sunned dust jacket w
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition, first printing
- Publisher
- Viking
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 1965
- Keywords
- Classic American 20th Century Literature
Terms of Sale
The Hermitage Bookshop
All books returnable for any reason within ten days of receipt. Shipping on all heavy or oversize books will be quoted upon inquiry. We do not ship surface overseas.
About the Seller
The Hermitage Bookshop
Biblio member since 2006
Denver, Colorado
About The Hermitage Bookshop
The Hermitage Bookshop was established in 1973 and has been under one owner since its inception. We are a full service rare and used bookshop and our stock is limited to hardbacks in excellent condition. We have been a member of both the ABAA and ILAB since 1980.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Inscribed
- When a book is described as being inscribed, it indicates that a short note written by the author or a previous owner has been...
- A.N.
- The book is pristine and free of any defects, in the same condition as ...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Octavo
- Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
- Chipping
- A defect in which small pieces are missing from the edges; fraying or small pieces of paper missing the edge of a paperback, or...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
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