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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Despite my hatred towards the author, not only because of his controversial history but also because of his perspective on women, I must agree that this book has a splendid structure.
The male characters are very well thought out and given incredible personalities that allow the reader to relate to them, however, the only female character that was given a voice was interpreted (AGAIN) as naive, love-seeking, and a sexually-frustrated individual. Which I hated.
Furthermore, the promising structure that could have brought this book to 4 stars, despite the terrible uncomplexity of the female characters, was not enough to save the final part.
Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate the metaphor of "the joke" and how it ruined the main character's life, however, what I do not appreciate is a comedic relief in a serious book. The laxatives scene honestly felt like, Mr.Kundera firstly wanted to kill off the female character but later decided it was too cruel. But in my opinion, killing her might have been THE EVENT that would finally change Ludvík's outlook on his actions and how they may affect other people. I do understand that that was later done with Jaroslav but I do not think that it has the same effect as Helena's death would have had. Moreover, it could have added even more complexity and paradox to Ludvík trying to get revenge on Pavel Zemánek. A missed opportunity in my book.
Overall, the structure was good, writing language was also great but I cannot get over the sexist and terrible outlook on women and the mishap of an ending! 3/5 for me
The male characters are very well thought out and given incredible personalities that allow the reader to relate to them, however, the only female character that was given a voice was interpreted (AGAIN) as naive, love-seeking, and a sexually-frustrated individual. Which I hated.
Furthermore, the promising structure that could have brought this book to 4 stars, despite the terrible uncomplexity of the female characters, was not enough to save the final part.
Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate the metaphor of "the joke" and how it ruined the main character's life, however, what I do not appreciate is a comedic relief in a serious book. The laxatives scene honestly felt like, Mr.Kundera firstly wanted to kill off the female character but later decided it was too cruel. But in my opinion, killing her might have been THE EVENT that would finally change Ludvík's outlook on his actions and how they may affect other people. I do understand that that was later done with Jaroslav but I do not think that it has the same effect as Helena's death would have had. Moreover, it could have added even more complexity and paradox to Ludvík trying to get revenge on Pavel Zemánek. A missed opportunity in my book.
Overall, the structure was good, writing language was also great but I cannot get over the sexist and terrible outlook on women and the mishap of an ending! 3/5 for me
4.5 stars.
For a fist novel, this is outstanding. Obvious foreshadowing of the great stuff that is yet to come.
The characters are uncomfortably human in their flaws, and the heavy themes are presented with a light touch, though perhaps detailed a bit too methodically.
Here is juvenile angst in all its multifaceted splendor. Here is Henry Miller's detached and narcissistic sexuality, but through the cringing eye of backward looking introspection. Here is the humbling idea that human folly springs from disappointment...or perhaps that disappointment springs from folly.
For a fist novel, this is outstanding. Obvious foreshadowing of the great stuff that is yet to come.
The characters are uncomfortably human in their flaws, and the heavy themes are presented with a light touch, though perhaps detailed a bit too methodically.
Here is juvenile angst in all its multifaceted splendor. Here is Henry Miller's detached and narcissistic sexuality, but through the cringing eye of backward looking introspection. Here is the humbling idea that human folly springs from disappointment...or perhaps that disappointment springs from folly.
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kundera is a master of combining very serious topics and irony. This novel had shown a beautiful representation of life in a totalitarian state. It is partly a study of human nature and morale being questioned by Communist regime in Czechoslovakia. It is very captivating and will get the reader right into the plot. I read it as part of my required highschool reading and I'm very glad I did.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Doy por abandonado este libro.
Empecé a leer "La Broma" tras leer "La insoportable levedad del ser", mi libro favorito, y he sufrido el desengaño más grande de la historia.
No consigue engancharme ni entretenerme.
Una lástima viniendo de Milan Kundera. Sin embargo, no descarto leer al autor en el futuro.
Empecé a leer "La Broma" tras leer "La insoportable levedad del ser", mi libro favorito, y he sufrido el desengaño más grande de la historia.
No consigue engancharme ni entretenerme.
Una lástima viniendo de Milan Kundera. Sin embargo, no descarto leer al autor en el futuro.
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fascinating study of life in communist Czechoslovakia that seeks to understand why some people preferred life under the Stalinist system to the more liberal period of the 1960s. I really appreciated how funny this book was at times, Kundera does a really good job of balancing dark topics and despair with humor and irony. The book switches between the perspectives of 5(?) characters, and each one has such a distinct voice.