Thanks for the reminder of John Williams' greatness! I haven't read Stoner or Butcher's Crossing, but two summers ago I read Augustus, which is amazing. I'm a Classics professor and a colleague recommended it, and I'd never heard of it. Williams uses all available ancient evidence, but must fill in all the character development, internal thought, dialogue, and all missing connection and context, all of which he does in a plausible and deeply compelling way. I don't know why I didn't immediately read more of his work; I think I just had other books on my to-read list and moved on. I appreciate this appreciation!