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lmrising's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
avicosmos's review against another edition
4.0
Of all the Kundera novels I read, The Farewell Party relies most on the plot. That distinct voice that at once titillates, disgusts, enlightens is still here at play, if only in diet mode. It isn't the plot that helps the reader across this book though. It's once again, the twisted circumstances of our characters. Everyone is at a crossroads. A woman must choose between pregnancy or abortion; a woman must choose between a man who loves her truly and one who only feigns love but offers adventure; a former revolutionary for whom every day is a choice between life and death; a man stuck between the position of a fatherly figure or just a very caring man; another man who loves his wife but cannot seem to stay loyal to her; a woman who confuses love and jealousy.
The idea of a crossroads is often very distressing to most people, but to viewers, it makes for great pleasure, which is what we are getting here. Like cheating on your spouse deliberately, having a different life in secret. It's fun while it lasts until we are made to chose. Readers are not burdened with that decision here which is what makes for great pleasure. And what happens when they choose? The characters are rendered dull. There is just lingering regret for what could've been. The story has to end there.
The confluence of events seems manufactured in The Farewell Party. That is the greatest criticism I have of this novel. One could argue that the intertwining of stories, as happens in this novel, is essential to conveying the distressing nature of 'crossroads.' But the plot is almost a base pleasure, one should expect that from a self-proclaimed hedonist. It's Kundera though, there more it than that; there is always more to it than that. The environment he creates of this small town in his then deteriorating country is what makes fills the quality gaps left by the plot.
The idea of a crossroads is often very distressing to most people, but to viewers, it makes for great pleasure, which is what we are getting here. Like cheating on your spouse deliberately, having a different life in secret. It's fun while it lasts until we are made to chose. Readers are not burdened with that decision here which is what makes for great pleasure. And what happens when they choose? The characters are rendered dull. There is just lingering regret for what could've been. The story has to end there.
The confluence of events seems manufactured in The Farewell Party. That is the greatest criticism I have of this novel. One could argue that the intertwining of stories, as happens in this novel, is essential to conveying the distressing nature of 'crossroads.' But the plot is almost a base pleasure, one should expect that from a self-proclaimed hedonist. It's Kundera though, there more it than that; there is always more to it than that. The environment he creates of this small town in his then deteriorating country is what makes fills the quality gaps left by the plot.
thepentheimk's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a little in love with Kundera. The more detestable his characters are, the more funny and spot-on he gets. There's something about Kundera's sense of humour that, apparently, you love or hate, and I am very much on the side of love.
lola_m_f's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Abortion, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Suicide
Minor: Rape
grandpacave's review against another edition
2.0
wish i could give 3.5! really enjoyed, nothing tied me to it emotionally though. Go kundera. it got a little odd but not as odd as others i’ve read
update: kundera dislikes women and i’m bored of that narrative:(
update: kundera dislikes women and i’m bored of that narrative:(
mimimimimimimi's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zofffiaz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
alectocarrow8's review
4.0
As usual with my review, the mid was bleh but the way it ended, *chefs kiss*. Also, there was a lot of takeaway in the department of life lessons, love and a lot more.