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edla_'s review against another edition
slow-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
2.0
gadicohen93's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, though it's not perfect, and it's not extremely memorable. I'll remember it for being an incredible book, though. It was a quick read, but I felt like I rushed through the last half when I shouldn't have.
The way Kundera bridges the gap between literature and philosophy is so skillful and effortless. It's truly a writing style I'd want to own one day--to be able to speak so thoughtfully and lyrically about characters in fiction in a way that also comments on the universals of life and existence.
That death lurks in my future remains one of the most frightening prospects of my life. Even more than the simple fear I have of the unknown, infinite, forever blackness of it, it's frightening to think that every action I take in this life, every thought I have, will only occur once at the point in time in which it took place. In essence, death demands of me to think through every action, or else my life could turn out to be a long, painful string of regrets. Death gives everything we do meaning. That is the main theme of this book, and one that Kundera articulated--and, at times, refuted--in a beautiful way.
The way Kundera bridges the gap between literature and philosophy is so skillful and effortless. It's truly a writing style I'd want to own one day--to be able to speak so thoughtfully and lyrically about characters in fiction in a way that also comments on the universals of life and existence.
That death lurks in my future remains one of the most frightening prospects of my life. Even more than the simple fear I have of the unknown, infinite, forever blackness of it, it's frightening to think that every action I take in this life, every thought I have, will only occur once at the point in time in which it took place. In essence, death demands of me to think through every action, or else my life could turn out to be a long, painful string of regrets. Death gives everything we do meaning. That is the main theme of this book, and one that Kundera articulated--and, at times, refuted--in a beautiful way.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful. Funny in parts, sad at others. One of the first books I read that showed me how wonderful literature can be.
mandoriin's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Death
valelee's review against another edition
1.0
Lo siento pero leí la mitad del libro y no pude más. Mi único pensamiento era tipo ajá, y???? Porque no pasa absolutamente nada interesante durante la primera mitad y aún si algo pasase después, ni la narrativa, ni la historia, ni los personajes eran mínimamente entrañables o interesantes lo suficiente para continuar leyendo. Personajes planos con 0 desarrollo, la mitad de lo que leí eran divagaciones de los personajes que no aportan nada a la historia ni dan información nueva al lector acerca de los personajes. No entiendo el hype ni el por qué de los que llegan a idolatrar esta obra. La sentí extremadamente pretenciosa y aburrida
kimschebler's review against another edition
5.0
"The longing for Paradise is man’s longing not to be man."
savaging's review against another edition
4.0
I sympathize with readers who hated this book. Sometimes they have really good reasons. And yet I really liked it. I liked it for lines like "Shit is a more onerous theological problem than is evil," for its discussion on kitsch, for reminding me that metaphors make a person fall in love. And even for the awful love story of Tomas and Tereza -- even that.