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Liked It7 of 7 members found this review helpful “What is the nature of love?, Kundera wants to know. Why do we want to be seen, and by whom? What's the difference between our soul and our body, and are those Gnostics right? Do things happen by chance, or is there a force behind everything that becomes visible when we experience a happy...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “I thought it was pretty stupid. If Kundera is like his characters as he suggests authors are then he's a douchebag. It was full of thin philosophy and pitiful relationships lacking all respect. There were only a handful of concepts I didn't find boring or ridiculous. *shrug*” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Lots of interesting ideas - at several points I thought 'wow, that really makes sense to me'. But overall I found it quite hard to follow - definitely will read this again. Best read in short but frequent installments I found!”
Catherine M wrote this review 6 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“I thought it was pretty stupid. If Kundera is like his characters as he suggests authors are then he's a douchebag. It was full of thin philosophy and pitiful relationships lacking all respect. There were only a handful of concepts I didn't find boring or ridiculous. *shrug*”
kala_way wrote this review 7 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
““Tomas did not realise at the time that metaphors are dangerous. Metaphors are not to be trifled with. A single metaphor can give birth to love,” Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Laala K wrote this review 12 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Oh, how to describe this book. Bear with me as I try.
It’s beautiful. It’s prosaic, philosophical and romantic. Romantic not in the sense of relationships — because I personally think every relationship is the book is twisted — but romantic in what it tries to be.
It is set, for the most part, in Prague, though it does head to other places in Europe for some parts. I love how imperfect the characters are while all being inherently romantic and striving for that perfect relationship.
As much as I love the book, and appreciate its characters, I think most of them are just horrible. Tomas is womanizing son of bitch who I would throw out a window if he were my partner. Tereza has reasons to be depressed but I also think she could pull her life together and doesn’t. Sabrine is actually my favourite characters, the woman in everyone’s life and yet somehow forever on the sidelines. Artistic and beautiful, morally ambiguous.
I love this book and I can’t wait to read more by Kundera. But it’s a perfect example of being able to love a book so completely and not identify with its characters.”
“Many of the philosophical musings in this book are engaging and thought-provoking, but some sections I find I really didn't like; amazing that a writer that can produce such insight on one page can then reduce himself almost to drivel (though no-one has to agree with me) a few pages later. Patchy, but mostly good.”
sid_rw wrote this review 13 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“unbearable”
pakishman wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ Kristel said: 4 stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Comedy and tragedy, the novel looks at human existence. Geographically it connects Prague, Geneva, Paris, Thailand and the United States. It explores the relationship of husband and wife (Tomas and Tereza) and their beloved dog named Karenin.Tomas is epic womanizer. Tereza has a strong hold over Tomas through her weakness but doesn't realize this until they are old. "when people are fairly young and the musical composition of their lives is still in its opening bars, they can go about writing it together and exchange motifs......" Secondary characters are Sebina and Franz. Sebina is both Tomas and Franz's lover. The bowler hat is a major motif. The last section of the book covers the last years of Tomas and Tereza when they grow old together. It also is devoted to describing the relationship of man to dog. It is titled Kerenin's Smile.”
“has some good ideas in it, a new way of looking at relationships, mixed in with his takes on some philosophers. The story is maybe a little too disjointed and the main characters are v stereotyped, ie unfaithful man and pining woman.”
Nicole G wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Comedy and tragedy, the novel looks at human existence. Geographically it connects Prague, Geneva, Paris, Thailand and the United States. It explores the relationship of husband and wife (Tomas and Tereza) and their beloved dog named Karenin.Tomas is epic womanizer. Tereza has a strong hold over Tomas through her weakness but doesn't realize this until they are old. "when people are fairly young and the musical composition of their lives is still in its opening bars, they can go about writing it together and exchange motifs......" Secondary characters are Sebina and Franz. Sebina is both Tomas and Franz's lover. The bowler hat is a major motif. ”
Kristel wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The first roman I have ever read in my life, I think. But this is more than that. I like the Nietschze ideology surrounding the book and the immense amount of psychology implemented. This is just too good.”
Tuplad wrote this review Saturday, December 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
