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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
I very much enjoyed reading this novel, and it was hard to put down. The writing and dialog were believable. Never once, which often happens with other books, did I catch myself puzzled by the dialogue or the plotline. Many lines jump out from the page to grab you and make you pause, such as; "All the basic situations in life occur only once, never to return. For a man to be a man, he must be fully aware of this never-to-return." This novel was an enjoyable mix of the political, history, personal growth, and human perceptions. I look forward to reading more of Kundera, and The Joke is in my stack for re-reading down the road.
3,8 ⭐️
Hodně vztahů, hodně politiky a hodně retrospektivy, občas trošku zmatek, nádherný jazyk. Asi jsem čekala trochu víc, ale špatné to rozhodně nebylo. 😊
Hodně vztahů, hodně politiky a hodně retrospektivy, občas trošku zmatek, nádherný jazyk. Asi jsem čekala trochu víc, ale špatné to rozhodně nebylo. 😊
Ya no sé por qué tardé tanto en leer a Milan Kundera (!!!). Lo había tenido en la mira desde hace varios años y por una u otra cosa siempre lo posponía (perdooón!
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
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
Despite Kundera's own endearing comments that the book is above all a love story, rather than a Stalinist critique, the last Act of the book speaks significantly less about love than it does history and the ties between collective and personal memory.
This is a shame because of how interesting and unique an approach to romance is taken in the narrative, positioning Ludvik as less a noble hero than a man swept up by lust and the egocentric love of self, accentuated but not caused by his imprisonment in a labour camp.
It was reminiscent of Orwell's Keep the Aspidistra Flying although perhaps less witty and more important in a sense of historical perspective.
I wanted to like the book more yet as it neared its close but there was a gap, perhaps in cultural understanding, that would have made the arc more meaningful for me had I truly understood the thematic implications in a broader context.
This is a shame because of how interesting and unique an approach to romance is taken in the narrative, positioning Ludvik as less a noble hero than a man swept up by lust and the egocentric love of self, accentuated but not caused by his imprisonment in a labour camp.
It was reminiscent of Orwell's Keep the Aspidistra Flying although perhaps less witty and more important in a sense of historical perspective.
I wanted to like the book more yet as it neared its close but there was a gap, perhaps in cultural understanding, that would have made the arc more meaningful for me had I truly understood the thematic implications in a broader context.
reflective
slow-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
The joke, originally published in Czech in 1967 as The Zert, is Kundera's first novel.
As it's title, the book is full of many jokes. There are seven chapters in the book and the story is told from the POV's of different characters. The timeline oscillates back and forth. I was really impressed by the depth of this book, and the eclectic characters.
Each character throws different light on the same events each character describes previously.
~
It's the Czechoslovakia of the 1950's, Ludvik Jahn, our protagonist, is a strong supporter of the Communist regime after World War 2. In order to charm his girlfriend, he writes a joke on a postcard which backfired on the Commies. He is expelled from the party and is sent for military service. He harbours a grudge against the party members, especially against Zemanik, who had led the charge against him. After many years, Ludvik seduces his wife and now the 'Joke' is on Zemanik.
Lucie, Ludvik's girlfriend for a brief period of time, never gets to tell her story. I really wish Lucie had a separate chapter as well. I would've loved it to hear in her voice instead of a man who narrated her story. She was just there as a piece of female flesh in the book. I particularly connected with Jaroslav, who mourns the loss of respect towards folk music and songs. His was a very likeable character.
~
To sum up my feelings, I felt it was a nice commentary on the political situation of that time. It heavily messed up with my head. I have no inclination towards communism, and some of the theories went over my head. It took some time to sink in and the narrative takes some time to get used to. The plot overlaps, because the story is told by different characters. I was particularly unhappy towards Ludvik's act of revenge.
All in all, this book made for a compelling read. It was laborious to get into, but it was a good read. I didn't enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed The Unbearable lightness of being. I am not willing to say goodbye to Mr Kundera yet. I will explore more of his words and then decide for myself.
3.5⭐
As it's title, the book is full of many jokes. There are seven chapters in the book and the story is told from the POV's of different characters. The timeline oscillates back and forth. I was really impressed by the depth of this book, and the eclectic characters.
Each character throws different light on the same events each character describes previously.
~
It's the Czechoslovakia of the 1950's, Ludvik Jahn, our protagonist, is a strong supporter of the Communist regime after World War 2. In order to charm his girlfriend, he writes a joke on a postcard which backfired on the Commies. He is expelled from the party and is sent for military service. He harbours a grudge against the party members, especially against Zemanik, who had led the charge against him. After many years, Ludvik seduces his wife and now the 'Joke' is on Zemanik.
Lucie, Ludvik's girlfriend for a brief period of time, never gets to tell her story. I really wish Lucie had a separate chapter as well. I would've loved it to hear in her voice instead of a man who narrated her story. She was just there as a piece of female flesh in the book. I particularly connected with Jaroslav, who mourns the loss of respect towards folk music and songs. His was a very likeable character.
~
To sum up my feelings, I felt it was a nice commentary on the political situation of that time. It heavily messed up with my head. I have no inclination towards communism, and some of the theories went over my head. It took some time to sink in and the narrative takes some time to get used to. The plot overlaps, because the story is told by different characters. I was particularly unhappy towards Ludvik's act of revenge.
All in all, this book made for a compelling read. It was laborious to get into, but it was a good read. I didn't enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed The Unbearable lightness of being. I am not willing to say goodbye to Mr Kundera yet. I will explore more of his words and then decide for myself.
3.5⭐
Uma estreia genial de um autor genial. Muitos dos elementos familiares no texto do Kundera já estão aqui, e perceber que ele já iniciou a carreira com esse nível de qualidade é incrível!