753. The Unbearable Lightness of Being

The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Milan Kundera
1984
Around 315 pages

It's strange to call such a complicated novel an easy read, but I always think Kundera provides a fast and digestible experience. And I agree that being is often unbearable, so I was ready for this work.

Kundera tells the story of Tomas, a serial cheater who falls in love with Tereza. He still can't be faithful, though, so Tereza lives a pretty miserable existence. His long term lover Sabina is a beautiful artist who flees during the Soviet occupation of Prague. Tomas is at particular risk during the occupation, as he has written articles in the past condemning the Czech Communists, so he has to decide if he wants to run away and make a new life with Tereza.

All of Kundera's are deeply philosophical, and I find his line of thinking to be convincing and compelling. Of course, Tomas was an infuriating character, and I kept hoping Tereza would change, but those aren't flaws. The characters really felt human, and got a very human ending.

Enjoying Kundera, and we still have one more to go!

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

In 1988, an American-made film adaptation of the novel was released starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche.

Kundera remarked that the movie had very little to do with the spirit either of the novel or the characters in it.

Kundera says he no longer allows any adaptations of his work.

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