Reviews

Identity by Milan Kundera, Linda Asher

jack_w16's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely loved this book. This book felt like a descent into madness, though in a way that felt new and refreshing. There was a slow build up of increasingly drastic miscommunications between a couple. Ultimately these miscommunications resulted in a sense of madness leading to the questioning of one's identity. Retroactively tracing this madness all the way back to the beginning of the story tied everything together so splendidly. Interspersed with this driving theme of madness, were themes of friendship, purpose, aging, and many more philosophical questions that Kundera discusses with characteristic humor and style. This book is timeless and will undoubtedly be reread.

abh8's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

robbschuneman's review against another edition

5.0

4.5

Beautiful. I've never been in love, but there is a hint of that emotion communicated here. I can't imagine possibly writing well enough to communicate such depth, but Kundera does it through thoughts and gestures, and a minimum of words.

Like all his books, if you focus on individual passages, it's nothing, but as a whole, the novel reveals yourself.

weekl's review

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

imjoo's review against another edition

2.0

Cảm nhận của mình về cuốn cứ như đồ thị hàm sin: từ phần đặt vấn đề không có ấn tượng gì, đến chỗ khá tâm đắc với phần cao trào, nhưng tới chỗ gỡ nút thắt thì lại chẳng hiểu cái mô tê gì. Thật lòng mà nói thì cuốn này không thể so được với “Đời nhẹ khôn kham” đâu, cả về nguyên tác lẫn dịch thuật.

saskiajuliette's review against another edition

challenging reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I discovered this book in a thrift shop and decided to pick it up because it intrigued me. It is definitely an interesting read with a few exceptional moments, but I wasn’t blown away. Kundera seems to almost have used his characters as personal messengers for his philosophical musings, delving into a variety of life’s questions and dilemmas. I enjoyed those moments of contemplation, although often it veered into the abstract.

The narrative mostly made me feel really sorry for the confusing and tumultuous relationship between Chantal and Jean-Marc. There seems to be a lot of unhealthy frustration and insecurity that is troubling them. Identity was an interesting side-step out of my comfort zone, but there were certainly moments where I found myself scratching my head, thinking, "Did that even make sense?"

n1ark's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

An interesting read on love and what makes people love each other! Nice and somewhat predictable read throughout, although the very end really feels like a cop out.

lilybookish's review against another edition

3.0

Este es uno de esos libros complejos de reseñar pero muy fácil de leer. La trama del libro tiene algunas ideas indefinidas e incluso confusas, es un poco cambiante y genera el desconocimiento de si estamos ante la realidad o la ficción, no sé bien cómo explicarlo.
Los personajes principales son muy humanos, muy imperfectos, se aman pero están llenos de dudas, miedos y errores. Algo que admiré mucho en este libro es la forma de narrar del autor, muy elocuente y fluida.
Para terminar resumo que este libro habla sobre como el amor puede influir sobre nuestra identidad. Además que está repleto de frases hermosas que te hacen reflexionar.

yjb1778's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

An extremely efficient book, no fat at all. It’s themes are potent and wonderful to explore with this brief but impactful story. Kundera always portrays a deep and hidden part of humanity that is felt in love, relationships, or daily existence but is rarely talked about or reflected on. He communicates it that it feels like he’s talking directly to a part of me. 

frankieior's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5