Have you heard about this book that is shooting into the best sellers list...

I really enjoyed this book - a life and death thoroughly and interestingly explained. As someone once said to me - "you can't beat a good owd'un"

Haven't heard of Tom Canty, bootie, but will have a look. Oh, and welcome!

I'm a third of the way through Stoner having seen it mentioned somewhere else.

Yes, it's beautifully written, well worth reading.

Hi I am new to this forum so hellow to everyone,
have any of you read tom cantys first book, clapham lights I couldn't put it down, it was so easy to read, and such a laugh. I emailed him to thank him and told him I would let others know about it , I got a nice reply from him.

Love this book so thanks J08. Very moving and beautifully written.

I also found Stoner moving.It was a very well rounded book-most satisfying.

So glad I put it on here Mishap. Good that you enjoyed it.

I have just finished reading Stoner. It is indeed a remarkable book, and the prose is immaculate. To start with I found it so bleak that I almost put it down; but I persevered and am glad that I did. The bleakness of this man's life hides a sort of celebration of ordinary people leading fairly ordinary lives. It it heartening in its own way, pinpointing the importance and value of each of us as we plough our way through life with its and our imperfections. I found it profoundly moving at the end.

It still comes up with the Kindle version (first in the list) at £2.99 specki.

SuperNana10 if you click on "everyone's summer reading" in the original post, that will take you straight through to the book.

The link is blue but you would hardly know it. It doesn't show up enough.

thanks when I did detect this but there were 3 books in the list, none of which at the kindle price quoted, so I thought I must be on the wrong tack.

What is the name of the book you are discussing?

Easy to miss the link in the OP, if the blue oesn't show up well. It's Stoner, by John L Willams, Specki

Am I thick, stupid or going mad? Will someone say what the title of this book is please?

That's alright squaredog. You're very welcome.

Sorry for the 'lateness', but just returned to Gransnet after spending a MAMMOTH amount of time on Mumsnet........oohhh.....

But so little now in common darlings........

Anyway, back to the book......thanks SO much for the 'nod'. (Wouldn't have got THAT over there, now would I?)

The dilemma is always for me, Kindle or book. MUCH prefer books darlings, but the price in comparison to the Kindles' is so off-putting. I SO love the feel of a book in my hand. Got yer moneys worth, innit?

I'm a dreadfully slow reader, cos I'm faffing around at so much, but will report back.

Thanks once again x

I've read it (Stoner), and really enjoyed it. I'm a great Persephone books fan too - have you tried Dorothy Whipple, Stansgran? I love the grey covers, and the feel of the the pages.

But I'm gonna feel really bad if no one likes it and I've made them waste their money! [wrings hands]

JO8 you should work for amazon! - I too have just downloaded it, having intended to a few weeks ago when I first read about it. You jogged my memory.

I agree, Ariadne The style does reflect the content and the characters, none of whom attract me. I found the plot pedestrian, the characters dull and the style unobtrusive. I'd probably give myself a poor mark for that judgement! Oh and, by the way, I did the unforgivable and went to the end without reading the whole thing! Please don't let me put you off. Oh, sorry, I might already have done that...

I've just risked a few quid on it. Sounds promising.

It's not grabbing me either, gracesmum! But if I were teaching it, I'd say that the style exactly reflects the content (that's a compliment to it, BTW). However, I stopped last night and moved to something lighter and easier - my brain is in somnolent mode, I think!

I've read several 'old' books lately, love Virago Press for publishing so many. Just read 'Our Spoons Came from Woolworths' by Barbara Comyns a delightful quirky book, also Rumer Godden's Greengage Summer. Amazon has so many different links to bookstores that sell old copies of books so I often manage to track down an ols favourite.

I will read it when I've finished The Cleaner and discuss it with you Gmum.