The Greatest Book of the 20th Century You Never Heard of!

Рет қаралды 983

4 ай бұрын

I spent New Year's Eve with my girlfriend in her hometown of Varazdin, Croatia, where I discovered a forgotten American literary classic.
The novel STONER by John Williams details the life of one William Stoner, a farmer-come-literature-professor. William Stoner is a simple, kinda weird, ultimately very human guy. As we follow him through the ups and downs of his career, marriage, and love life, the book takes us deeper and deeper into the soul of this basic, stoical man until finally we come away with some very profound and foundational truths about the human condition.
Yep, it's that good!
Come with me to the streets of Varazdin -- and through the grounds of an abandoned village castle -- here in Croatia as afternoon gives way to evening, the sun sets, and I share this beautiful book with you along with the profound impressions it left on me re: life as we humans know it here in the 21st century on this strange little planet called earth.
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Пікірлер: 33

@eiko6171 Ай бұрын

WTF just happened? XD WTF was that ranty, stream of consciousness, set enthusiasm to eleven review of a book you HAVENT EVEN FINISHED YET?!?! hahaha I loved it sooooo much. That was the closest simulation to hanging out with a best friend I’ve had in dogs years. This video sparks mad joy, thank you for making it.

@zenconfidential25 Ай бұрын

Thank you, my new best friend! ;-)

@vikifilip 4 ай бұрын

I appreciate so much how natural and spontaneous you are, how you speak freely and honestly, I imagine that your meditation training is behind that!

@zenconfidential25 4 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you!

@tinadeemc8728 4 ай бұрын

Weird...I stumbled upon this book a couple days ago in an internet search for a different book. 🤔 Damned matrix glitching again.

@user-iw7bl3hj1r 4 ай бұрын

It's amazing how moving great works of literature can be. Majorly Samsaric (so beware) but amazing and moving. Thanks for the interesting videos, I'm always looking forward to the next one.

@thomasjohnson214 4 ай бұрын

Love you, Jack. This was very interesting. Keep doing what your doing, Brother

@zenconfidential25 4 ай бұрын

I appreciate that. Thank you so much my friend.

@marcosantagata5847 4 ай бұрын

I'm about 100 pages in. Stoner and Edith have just had their first child. What an incredible depiction of modern loneliness and isolation within oneself. Great book so far. Had this on my shelf for awhile and this video convinced me to read it. Thank you !

@zenconfidential25 4 ай бұрын

I'm glad you've found that book, and let me know what you think of the very ending.

@marcosantagata5847 4 ай бұрын

Will do 😊 great read. Have you read John Williams other book "Butcher's Crossing" ?

@zenconfidential25 2 ай бұрын

I haven't read it, I have heard it's pretty good

@marcosantagata5847 2 ай бұрын

@@zenconfidential25 Yes if you ever get a chance do read butchers crossing. Its a great novel. I honestly don't really remember the ending to stoner unfortunately. I read it awhile ago and I had another seizure this morning and that tends to effect my memory. Sorry, I wish I remembered.

@nedrenn 3 ай бұрын

I read Stoner years ago now, which is also a great comment and critique on the inside world of academia and sharing knowledge. Great summary.

@zenconfidential25 3 ай бұрын

It's such a dang classic. Thank you.

@TherapistwithTinnitus 4 ай бұрын

Thanks.for the book recommendation, and the inspiration

@zenconfidential25 4 ай бұрын

Hope you enjoy it!

@dmaz88 4 ай бұрын

I love it! Please continue creating these KZfaq videos.

@zenconfidential25 4 ай бұрын

That's the plan! I thank you for saying so. Deep bows.

@dayamay8221 4 ай бұрын

I'm gonna get that book! Right up my street. I can't normally read novels, but this one sounds suitably edgy!! 😂 Love your authenticity man!! Thank you. Happy New Year!!

@zenconfidential25 4 ай бұрын

Well if this book finds you at the right time, it may hit home!

@drachenlachen 3 ай бұрын

What a narrator! 🙏🏽

@zenconfidential25 3 ай бұрын

It's a beautiful book!

@fhoniemcphonsen8987 4 ай бұрын

That got dark 🙂.

@Genpinan 4 ай бұрын

Well, thinks for this endorsement. The book might find a book on my TBR pile, I guess, although I just began rereading a book written by Barry Hughart. Whom I totally, and without the slightest reservations, recommend.

@zenconfidential25 4 ай бұрын

Ok thank you for this recommend, I'm googling this Barry now!

@Genpinan 4 ай бұрын

@@zenconfidential25 Hughart is IMHO one of the very best fantasy authors ever. His Master Li trilogy is awesome.

@MatthewSquiresMusic 4 ай бұрын

Literally started reading this a couple days ago! My fiancé suggested it

@zenconfidential25 4 ай бұрын

Wise woman! That book hit me at the right time.

@semiotik 4 ай бұрын

Stoner was big when I was doing my MFA - everyone was reading it. I didn't, because I was too busy blowing my funding on overpriced lattes. But I'd like to read it.

@zenconfidential25 4 ай бұрын

You'd love it!! As much as those overpriced lattes even!! Where'd you do your MFA?

@tinadeemc8728 4 ай бұрын

I've been listening to 1984 in audiobook. The guy reading it kind of sounds like Chris Hemsworth as Thor 😂 I highly recommend it for that reason.

@zenconfidential25 4 ай бұрын

Ha I love it, I'm on it!!