Stoner and Prince
The novel, Stoner, by John Williams was published in 1965. But its first now its really known and its sold in thousands of copies, especially in Europe.
Why? Mainly because its well written, in an epic and pre-modern style, not at all experimental. and it I tries to say something - what?
It's the one of Williams's books that is nearest his own life. Stoner is a teacher in literature, as Williams was. So maybe it's that he want to say something about his life or about the life of Everyman.
I'm sure Prince had the same kind of love for music as Williams had for litteratur.
You can hear it in the album "Prince; Piano & a Microphone" recorded in 1983 but not published until last year.
Maybe we also can hear the foundation for his music here.
His father worked as a pianist but was not so good as a father. He left the family when Prince was ten.
In the recording from -83 we can hear him sing a bit of the song "a case of you" by Joni Mitchell.When his father died he recorded it, as it was about their relationship.
The end of the lyrics;
"Love is touching souls"
I don't know about John William's losses in life, but if you read the novel you will find out about the hardships for the main character; William Stoner.
They are not so big but many and some very enduring. Its like life itself pushing him in different directions, like a marionette.
But Stoner finds relief as a teacher in literature at a university. His love for books are also enduring.
His personal life seems to be bitter until the end, just paused by of a love affair with a student. He lives in an unhappy marriage but has to endure it.
But sometimes in the classroom, hi has his happy moments.
In a buddhist perspective the novel is an example of how poo our lives seem to be. We better stay out of normal life as much as possible to come normal to the absolute truth; life means suffering and so on...
Many people also mean that the novel is a sad one.
John Williams, himself meant that it was not. He wanted to show life as it is and that the love for literature that the main character had was that gave meaning to his troublesome life. It was as literature and the teaching of it, for both Stoner and the author himself, was a refuge and a shelter from the outer world.
A little bit like a monastery, not dealing directly with ongoing wars in the world, not trying to reach the highest positions at the university.
The death of Stoner is quite sad though, but death is a sad thing i guess, so its a realistic and non- sentimental depiction. You have to endure life and find satisfaction in the small things, outside of the busy normal life - maybe that was Williams message.
Maybe Prince struggle with the music industry and with fame was too much for him.
In an early letter he writes that he just wanted to play piano and sing in smaller places, that would be enough.
That's the middle way, that Prince never took.
Why? Mainly because its well written, in an epic and pre-modern style, not at all experimental. and it I tries to say something - what?
It's the one of Williams's books that is nearest his own life. Stoner is a teacher in literature, as Williams was. So maybe it's that he want to say something about his life or about the life of Everyman.
I'm sure Prince had the same kind of love for music as Williams had for litteratur.
You can hear it in the album "Prince; Piano & a Microphone" recorded in 1983 but not published until last year.
Maybe we also can hear the foundation for his music here.
His father worked as a pianist but was not so good as a father. He left the family when Prince was ten.
In the recording from -83 we can hear him sing a bit of the song "a case of you" by Joni Mitchell.When his father died he recorded it, as it was about their relationship.
The end of the lyrics;
"Love is touching souls"
Surely you touched mine 'cause
Part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
I don't know about John William's losses in life, but if you read the novel you will find out about the hardships for the main character; William Stoner.
They are not so big but many and some very enduring. Its like life itself pushing him in different directions, like a marionette.
But Stoner finds relief as a teacher in literature at a university. His love for books are also enduring.
His personal life seems to be bitter until the end, just paused by of a love affair with a student. He lives in an unhappy marriage but has to endure it.
But sometimes in the classroom, hi has his happy moments.
In a buddhist perspective the novel is an example of how poo our lives seem to be. We better stay out of normal life as much as possible to come normal to the absolute truth; life means suffering and so on...
Many people also mean that the novel is a sad one.
John Williams, himself meant that it was not. He wanted to show life as it is and that the love for literature that the main character had was that gave meaning to his troublesome life. It was as literature and the teaching of it, for both Stoner and the author himself, was a refuge and a shelter from the outer world.
A little bit like a monastery, not dealing directly with ongoing wars in the world, not trying to reach the highest positions at the university.
The death of Stoner is quite sad though, but death is a sad thing i guess, so its a realistic and non- sentimental depiction. You have to endure life and find satisfaction in the small things, outside of the busy normal life - maybe that was Williams message.
Maybe Prince struggle with the music industry and with fame was too much for him.
In an early letter he writes that he just wanted to play piano and sing in smaller places, that would be enough.
That's the middle way, that Prince never took.
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