Reviews

Let the Old Dead Make Room for the Young Dead by Milan Kundera

jstilts's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A short story in every sense: one that takes place in under a day and mostly over a single conversation - and covers 40 small-format pages.

"Let the Old Dead Make Room for the Young Dead" concerns a 35 and 50 year old chancing upon each other after a one-night stand 20 years previously, their sense of self-image, their insecurities and desires - and what they think they need to feel in order to be fulfilled once this stage of their life is over.

The point of view alternates effectively from chapter-to-chapter in this brief but interesting 1960s Czechoslovakian encounter.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content and Body shaming

Minor: Grief

emilychau's review against another edition

reflective fast-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

3.25

rell_'s review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

kafiro_ka_kafka's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Perfection. 

msmisal's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

clobio's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

suspendedinair's review against another edition

5.0

this was an appropriate subway read, but would have been better with tea. for yearners everywhere.

etherealsuju's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

entwederoda's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

lucyy_m's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75