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A review by kartrick
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
5.0
This was the best book I've read in ages! The entire narrative was extremely gripping and I breezed through the book in no time. It is very philosophical, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Not only did I get to learn about the troubled times of Soviet power as well as interesting perspectives on classical music, but I also loved the philosophical dichotomies, or rather polarities, that the book was all about. I really don't find any reason to give it a lower rating. A must-read!
One thing that I really liked is how Kundera showed complete opposites clearly. With polarised concepts such as Lightness and Weight or Soul and Body, I feel that it is easy for each of us to form a notion about which one is positive and which one negative. So then, it isincredible how one character's notion of these concepts was the complete opposite of another's, and Kundera did this in a way that both arguments seemed perfectly logical! At least, one could see why someone would form that particular notion. Even the third chapter, Words Misunderstood, talked about opposites and was an intriguing lexicon-style chapter.
As much as he shows stark contrasts, he also shows that there are fine lines between opposites. For example: Beauty and Kitsch, as described in the novel, are very similar but differ in their subtle nuances (at least, that's what I took from the book). I also loved the ideas of recurring motifs and fortuities. What may be one's reflexive obsession with the Beauty in motifs, may very well be to another a vile and disgusting manifestation of Kitsch.
Although I couldn't personally relate to the characters, their narratives were fascinating. I found myself immersed in the stream of consciousness all through the book. And although the novel is about philosophical struggles and conflicts (not to mention the questionable agreeability of some opinions), I wouldn't consider it a sad story. In fact, the ending was even somewhat pleasant.
All in all, it was incredibly thought-provoking and moving. And an absolute joy to read!
One thing that I really liked is how Kundera showed complete opposites clearly. With polarised concepts such as Lightness and Weight or Soul and Body, I feel that it is easy for each of us to form a notion about which one is positive and which one negative. So then, it isincredible how one character's notion of these concepts was the complete opposite of another's, and Kundera did this in a way that both arguments seemed perfectly logical! At least, one could see why someone would form that particular notion. Even the third chapter, Words Misunderstood, talked about opposites and was an intriguing lexicon-style chapter.
As much as he shows stark contrasts, he also shows that there are fine lines between opposites. For example: Beauty and Kitsch, as described in the novel, are very similar but differ in their subtle nuances (at least, that's what I took from the book). I also loved the ideas of recurring motifs and fortuities. What may be one's reflexive obsession with the Beauty in motifs, may very well be to another a vile and disgusting manifestation of Kitsch.
Although I couldn't personally relate to the characters, their narratives were fascinating. I found myself immersed in the stream of consciousness all through the book. And although the novel is about philosophical struggles and conflicts (not to mention the questionable agreeability of some opinions), I wouldn't consider it a sad story. In fact, the ending was even somewhat pleasant.
All in all, it was incredibly thought-provoking and moving. And an absolute joy to read!