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fr4nkie_99's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
3.0
Like most short story collections, there are some weak spots and some jewels. It has been quite a while since I read this, but from what I remember, it was overall moving. It is Kundera after all.
polynillium's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
chiara_reads_books's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
trishhy's review against another edition
1.0
This would have been a passable read if not for the glaringly sexist portrayal of all female characters in the stories. It took a lot of energy to read his book in a ironic way and I simply could not find it in myself continue further than the second short story wherein two male characters describe the process of getting a woman to sleep with them as “boarding”.
I’m not sure what the reason for banning this book was in its time, but it probably should not have been, so people could realise sooner just how abhorrent to female characters Kundera is.
I’m not sure what the reason for banning this book was in its time, but it probably should not have been, so people could realise sooner just how abhorrent to female characters Kundera is.
outoftheofficeagain's review against another edition
3.75
This was totally fine. Kundera writes interesting dynamics but there was one after another of the “jealous girl” and “womanizer boy” and it got redundant, with some of the stories being more successful than others. A standout from the collection, in my opinion was Let the Old Dead Make Room for the Young Dead which had themes of aging, perception and specifically mother/son dynamics of a toxic variety. I also enjoyed the religious conversations in Edward and God.
lilasaitplus's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mankamon's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0