Two wonderful books (lasting 44 years between them), “Stoner” by John Williams and “Leaving the World” by Douglas Kennedy, each in their own way, tells the story of a person who is trying to cope with life. and professional circumstances.

Considered a masterpiece by literary critics, John Williams’ novel “Stoner” (1922-1994; first published in 1965) is the story of a boy raised on a farm, who ends up in college and becomes a professor. of English literature.

What is intriguing about the novel is the author’s successful attempts to describe the character of Stoner, sometimes trying to get inside Stoner’s head, which is not an easy task even for psychologists.

John Williams is realistic and accurate when describing the college where Stoner works. Whether we have worked in universities or not, the novel catches our attention and attracts us, leading us to want to know more about “the life and career” of Stoner, a man who reserves himself and his principles, a trait that is unique compared to many others who held positions in a large institution (and who play the “socio-political” game that is required of them to be promoted).

Throughout the book, Williams describes the atmosphere at the University and Stoner’s struggles to maintain his position. Being “true to himself” and authentic, attributes not necessarily typical of professionals in large institutions, the novel describes Stoner’s personal frustrations in the face of the atmosphere of the university and the world around him. Stoner’s marital difficulties and personal conflicts within the university are highlighted throughout the novel.

We can find similar descriptions of the university environment and a young professor defending her own principles in other novels, such as the well-written and realistic story of Jane Howard in Douglas Kennedy’s “Leaving the World” (Hutchinson, London, 2009).

In both books, a theme that comes up over and over again is the inability to get into your head and clearly understand what it is that drives you to behave as you do (even at your own expense!).

Both books ask us an important question: Are the characters really aware of how they perceive the world? Are they really aware of what drives them to behave the way they do? Are you aware of what in your life controls your behaviors and drives you to separate yourself from important figures in your life (such as parents) or to fall in love with other people who are not really comparable to them?

Most people are unaware of their own self-sabotaging motives, attitudes, and behaviors. They tend to live their lives on automatic pilot, often coping rather than initiating, often trying to do what is “socially accepted and expected” rather than being authentic and trying to be “who they really are.”

Here are some of the reasons why characters like John Williams’ Stoner and Douglas Kennedy’s Jane Howard keep our interest throughout the reading: Here are two characters who struggle with “who they are” and behave in a way that they themselves don’t. they are sure if I fully understand.

Their struggle is what makes us feel emphatic towards them; feel your pain; even feeling sorry for them, and wanting to whisper some advice in their ear; Hoping that, in the end, his life turns out better than it is.

… and while we turn the last page, still not understanding these two characters 100%, we continue to contemplate, in our heads, their life stories, and consciously or unconsciously we begin to think about ours …