“Stoner” by John Williams, a novel that was initially overlooked by both readers and critics when it was first published in 1965, has begun to shine long after the author’s death in 1994. It is now resonating with Korean readers as it experiences a remarkable resurgence 60 years later.
The novel tells the story of the protagonist, Stoner, who initially attends college to follow his family’s farming business. However, he becomes enamored with literature after reading Shakespeare’s sonnets in an introductory English literature course. Choosing to remain at the university instead of returning to farming, he embarks on a path as an English scholar. Although Stoner gets married and becomes a professor, he leads a lonely life, isolated from his family and colleagues. Despite battling a sudden illness, he strives to remain true to himself until the end. The novel’s intricate portrayal of Stoner’s life is touching the hearts of Korean readers, as it feels like the story of a neighbor brought to life through a delicate narrative.
According to Kyobo Bookstore’s bestseller announcement for the second week of March 2025, “Stoner” has been gaining renewed attention thanks to a book introduction video on broadcaster Hong Jin-kyung’s YouTube channel. The novel climbed 15 places to reach the third spot on the overall bestseller list, closely trailing Han Kang’s “The Boy is Coming.” First published in Korea in 2015, “Stoner” has steadily enjoyed popularity, and this renewed interest via YouTube has propelled it to become a bestseller once again. The primary demographic purchasing the book comprises women in their 40s, representing 27.6% of all buyers. Novels dominate the top 10 bestsellers with works such as Yang Gui-ja’s “Contradiction,” Jeong Dae-geon’s “Rapid Currents,” and Han Kang’s “The Vegetarian.”
It has been a noteworthy week as books gaining attention through media, like “Stoner,” continue to enter the bestseller list. Edward Ashton’s “Mickey 7,” the original novel for director Bong Joon-ho’s movie “Mickey 17,” climbed to the 19th spot, riding a wave of popularity alongside the film. In the essay category, esteemed domestic evolutionary biologist and animal behaviorist Professor Choi Jae-cheon appeared on “Questions from Son Seok-hee,” leading to his work “Conscience” soaring 138 places to reach the 25th spot. Comedian Lee Kyung-kyu’s “Life as a Perfect Joke,” highlighted through a broadcast, rose 30 places to secure the 30th position.