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Summary: Makes most other novels seem the work of children
Review: How rare it is to encounter a work of fiction concerning itself with the most deeply felt emotions in such a passionate but philosophical and mature manner. Definitely a book to recommend to those whose ideas about life and love mimic the childish notions of Hollywood "chick-flicks" and sap-headed romance novels. This is a novel of ideas, not incidents. It makes most other modern fiction look like the stories of kindergartners. Pure, luminous, poetic brilliance. (A sidenote: Philip Kaufman's film is also quite good in it's own right and does a surprisingly good job of translating this difficult book to the film medium.)
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Summary: Geez...this dude is deep!
Review: I doubt the average American reader will dig this book. Especially the lover of pop-fiction. Cuz this is not your general Doubleday Book of the Month pick. The concepts Kundera deals with are indicative of a writer who is truly just that - a writer. From the onset of the novel when he presents the topic of the book and breaks down the necessity for both lightness and heaviness of being leave the reader thinking: "Wow, what a way to look at life". There are several specific lines that leave me dumbfounded at the thought and brilliance that had to go behind such a statement. Paraphrase: "How can life ever be a good teacher if there is only one of them to be lived? How can one perform life when the dress rehearsal for life is life?" (Trust me, Kundera does a better job with this concept than I ever could.) I strongly recommed this book to beginning writers who are struggling with structuring his/her work. Kundera is the master of postmodernism and this book alone will give you a ton of options to explore. It will also provide the young writer with a brain overload of ideas, therioes, concepts and beliefs to spark possible stories. I would also recommend to writers and lovers of literature Kundera's collection of short stories, Laughable Loves. This is probably more easily digestible if you are just discovering the czech writer. keturahk@yahoo.com
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Summary: I'm not sure what to say
Review: When I read the Unbearable Lightness of Being, I was constantly shifting my opinion about the book and, in fact, my opinon still oscillates when I think about it today. The good news is that story of the love lives off pTomas, Tereza, Franz, et al, and their plight beneath a totalitarian government is-or, can be- very absorbing, very emotionally affecting, and the fabulist elements don't override it too much. The problem, though, is that the novel is constantly undercut by interludes where Mr Kundera comes in and gives his outside commentary. I wasn't bothered by this so much because it made the storyine choppy, but because of the didactic tone of these sections:he guides you towards interpretations, and at times I felt as though he were telling me-this is what you should think/feel about the action. There are a few of these lines elsewhere in the book(something to the effect that"what sabine felt was the unbearable lightness of being"). This is a good effect if he wants to create distance from the character, but in order to connect with the subject matter, the plight of the characters, etc, you would(or I would think you would) need some kind of conection with the character. Plus he seems to be lording his intellect over the reader(or maybe I'm just oversensitive, but in any case), and this diminishes what could've been even an even better book. So, if you think you take Kundera's outside commentary, it's worth it.
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Summary: Should have been an essay
Review: I really enjoyed some of the ideas in this book - especially the central contrast between lightness and weight. However, Kundera's method of introducing these ideas -- usually by interupting his characters -- made the novel really choppy. A lot of times, it seemed like the characters had impossible foresight -- that no one living would ever think such a thing at such a time. The character's were far too analyzed, leaving the reader with basically nothing to do but sit back and attempt to enjoy the rather dry writing. Overall, ideas great, but style terrible. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
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Summary: Intriguing and Thought provoking
Review: The Unbearable Lightness of Being is a piece of literature that help readers delve into the soul of their own being. While reading the book, I found myself stoping in the midst of every other page reflecting on my life and the meaning of human existence. Kundara is a master at presenting ideas/concepts that are universally applicable to everyone no matter how controversial it is. The four characters (Tomas, Tereza, Sabine, Franz) are all so richly developed, that readers will find themselves not only sympathizing but also empathizing with the characters. After reading Identity and this piece, I have gone on to purchasing Kundara's other works. Kundara is a writer who can truly tug at the reader's emotions and thoughts. His works are mesmerizing and this piece is definitely no exception. Kundara is a writer in his own class.
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Summary: Snubbing kitsch by a great story of kitsch...
Review: Those who were entertained by this story may look back to their entertainment.
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Summary: If you like existencialism, read this book.
Review: My first Kundera book. IT is an awesome novel. Kundera peels off layer by layer what really goes into our heads, and our souls. The book gave me a better understanding of the great differences between men and women, and how beautiful and intriguing those differences are.
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Summary: Lost in Translation
Review: Though the book was largely entertaining and at times even a little profound, I fear that a large portion of the beauty of this book must have been lost in translation. There was a tension in the words that seemed fully unintended, an inability on the author's part to express precicely the thoughts that with which he was plagued. I can only assume this oddity can be explained by the impossibility of translation between two fundamentally differing languages;otherwise I would have to fault the Kundera himself. I found some of the passages to be utterly and completely captivating, only to be followed by dry and perfunctory tales of the character's goings-on. The book was a relatively quick read, and despite my frustrations, I was happy to finish the book, unlike other books which simply lost all interest somewhere in the middle. I was somewhat enamored despite my frustration with the language. I was reminded of Erica Jong's Fear of Flying, another book about the search for love, also laden with subtle politics. I preferred Kundera's book, however, partially for its more romantic view, and partially because the descriptions of his character's love affairs did not bore me to tears as Jong's did.
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Summary: A richly multilayered novel of ideas
Review: Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" is a richly textured novel of ideas on life, love, perspective and politics that find expression through the lives of four people (Tomas, Tereza, Sabine and Franz) who are themselves connected by the philandering ways of the surgeon Tomas. The novel uses a complex non-linear time scheme to explore a myriad of ideas that simply explode into a rainbow of colours that defy definition. At its most basic level, the story tells of two love stories that run parallel to one another, both tainted by sexual infidelity and set in Russian occupied Czech Republic. The film version, which I haven't seen, must have stuck closely to the narrative. How else could any coherent visual sense be made of the abundance of philosophical ideas that find such eloquent expression in the novel ? The exploration of lightness/heaviness, the central theme that flows through the pages, is all about the meaning or meaninglessness of human existence, the appreciation of history as a unique and unrepeatable outcome of a series of accidents, and the absence of any reliable anchor that we can call upon to judge our own motivations and that of others. Tomas, the respected surgeon, commits a political faux pas and loses his job, but finds freedom when he becomes a window cleaner. His long suffering wife, Tereza, concludes that only animals (like her beloved dog, Karenin) can be trusted. Sabine and Franz share a doomed relationship as they denounce their own natural perspectives in search of opposite values which they mistakenly consider the genuine article. You get the author's own political perspective in the chapter entitled "The Grand March" where he investigates the concept of "kitsch". The novel is so abound with ideas - some abstract and nebulous and difficult to grasp - they make your mind reel in wonder. I get the feeling that with each read, the reader peels off a new layer to uncover new truths to satisfy. A beautifully written masterpiece. Highly recommended.
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Summary: my dear kundera
Review: Fantastic! I will remember everythink of this book It have changed my min
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