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Liked It “An oddly single-minded book for Kundera. It depicts the life of self-involved boy turned young poet. The novel starts strong, with a convincing and evocative tale of parenting and early discoveries. The book then zigs and meanders through the middle two quarters with dyadreams and politics. But...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Not easy to get through, but I did it on principle. It left much to be desired though.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Deema 1st hour
Price wrote this review Thursday, October 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Life is Elsewhere. Well then, where is it? Who knows for sure? It’s certain it isn’t here, though, or that’s what all the revolutionist youths are saying. Jaromil, the main character of this particular novel is among them in this great thought. His life as a brooding poet serves as the basis for this marvelous read.
Milan Kundera creates some truly unforgettable characters. Jaromil, whose life mimics all the greats who came before him, is a complex individual who just wants to get away from his overbearing mother and become his own man. Mama, on the other hand, longs for the time of her life when she and her child were one and he wasn’t constantly running away from her. It’s true that these characters did become a bit aggravating at times with their constant change in opinions about the world and each other. This, however, is only a minor annoyance and is not enough to deter someone from thoroughly enjoying the novel.
One of the best aspects of the book is Kundera’s ability to keep the reader interested through more than just plot. It’s impossible to get bored with the constant switching of chapter length and play on setting. (One moment he could have you with Jaromil in post WWII Czechoslovakia and the next with Percy Bysshe Shelley in Ireland.) At one point he even inserts himself as the first person narrator to give his own perspective on the story and how it could have been different based on his own choices.
This book is certainly never monotonous and I would strongly recommend it to anyone interested in the lives of famous poets or history as well as those who just enjoys a great storyline and intriguing presentation.
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“One story revolved around a young professor who loves to play mind-games with people he deems inferior. After putting off reviewing the work of an aspiring (and hopeless) scholar, he loses the young woman he was involved with, directly after realizing he loved her.
Wendy B wrote this review Thursday, May 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
There is also the story of a couple who play a role-playing game which initially excites them but then later scares one and repulses the other.
'Let the Old Dead make way for The Young Dead' is about a woman who visits her husband's grave in a cemetery only to find out that it has been removed in the favor of another grave that of a man who had died 'more recently.' This impacts upon her life as a person and is a major factor when she goes to visit a former lover.
Two stories include the character Dr. Havel. The first of which is set in the hospital with several other doctors and a nurse. Dr. Havel is known for his multitudes of sexual exploits, and the nurse is interested in him, but he rejects her. The second story takes place ten years later, when Dr. Havel feels less powerful and attractive, yet is reminded of his attractiveness by his young, beautiful wife.
There is the story of two middle-age men who flirt with many girls and proposition them. One of the men is married to a women he loves, and the other would rather read a book.
The final story is "Eduard and God", where a young man called Eduard has a religious girlfriend but he personally has to stay away from religion because of his job in a school. It makes for difficult times for him when he is seen with his girlfriend at a church.
”“I found this book fairly depressing and cynical. Author seemed to have a chip on his shoulder; particularly with regard to mothers, poets, and political change. On the one hand, he seemed to be insulting artists as societal outcasts with odd upbringings; on the other - he glorifies them as daring spirits whose originality and meaning were suffocated by communism. Still, the book was well-written and I had a hard time putting it down.”
shannon m wrote this review Friday, January 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“An oddly single-minded book for Kundera. It depicts the life of self-involved boy turned young poet. The novel starts strong, with a convincing and evocative tale of parenting and early discoveries. The book then zigs and meanders through the middle two quarters with dyadreams and politics. But then Kundera surges forward again, completing the story with suddenly shifting perspectives, and a wholly revelatory finish. In the end, the book is about the ways in which life shapes the man, and the capacity we all have to be deformed by over indulgence and pride. ”
C.D. Stephens wrote this review Thursday, November 13 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Not my favorite Kundera, I had to rather slog through this one. Mostly about how poetry can be used as a vehicle to escape ones life. Many of the same themes as depicted in his other work, this one, because of its rather non-linear structure and its different narrators, is a bit more challenging.”
muque and shylock tomes wrote this review Tuesday, September 23 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Not easy to get through, but I did it on principle. It left much to be desired though.”
Marisol E wrote this review Friday, August 1 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“it's not the best kundera, but it's still better than the most books i've ever read.”
olaszka p wrote this review Friday, March 21 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Life is elsewhere, and so was the poet. This great narrative is nothing less than other kundera works, and it is definitely a book that confronts you to your deepest fears and wishes. A must.”
Irina Marina wrote this review Saturday, March 8 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
