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89 Words followed by Prague, A Disappearing Poem

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Brief Description
89 Words, published in 1985, is an expanded version of the dictionary of sorts that readers encountered in The Art of the Novel, and comprises a fascinating and rigorous interrogation of what exile, life in another language, and the betrayals of translations entail. Prague, A Disappearing... Read More
Format: Hardback
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An invigorating pair of essays exploring exile, language and national identity from one of Europe's most celebrated literary stars, the author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being.

An invigorating pair of essays exploring exile, language and national identity from one of Europe's most celebrated literary stars, the author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

89 Words, published in 1985, is an expanded version of the dictionary of sorts that readers encountered in The Art of the Novel, and comprises a fascinating and rigorous interrogation of what exile, life in another language, and the betrayals of translations entail.

Prague, A Disappearing Poem, dating from 1980, meditates on questions of the culture of the 'small nation' that formed and lends specificity to Kundera's work, andβ€”as in A Kidnapped Westβ€”questions the Soviet and Western attitudes towards Czech culture.

Together, these provocative, elegant, and wise essays remind familiar readers of Kundera's presenceβ€”his inimitable voiceβ€”and for new readers, offer an introduction to his oeuvre: an access point into his fictional universe, characterised by devastating irony and subtlety of judgement.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571393237

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 23 October 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Contributors:

  • Translated by Matthew Reeck

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 112

About the Author

The French-Czech novelist Milan Kundera was born in the Czech Republic and has lived in France since 1975. He died in Paris in 2023.

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