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The Unbearable Lightness of Being

'A dark and brilliant achievement' (Ian McEwan)
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( 496,619 ratings, 28,033 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera explores the intertwined lives of four characters in Czechoslovakia, delving into themes of love, politics, and existential meaning. The novel examines the philosophical idea of eternal return and how the characters' choices impact their lives amidst the backdrop of historical upheaval.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy exploring deep philosophical questions about love, fate, and identity through richly developed characters and intricate storytelling set against the backdrop of political upheaval.

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The Unbearable Lightness of Being

In his story of irreconcilable loves and infidelities, Kundera addresses himself to the nature of 20th-century "Being".

40th anniversary edition of the bestselling modern classic: Milan Kundera's iconic novel of love and politics in communist Czechoslovakia.

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

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera is a profound exploration of love, politics, and existential philosophy set against the backdrop of 1960s Prague. The novel revolves around the entwined lives of four main characters: Tomáš, a successful surgeon and notorious womaniser; Tereza, his faithful wife; Sabina, a free-spirited artist and Tomáš's mistress; and Franz, a compassionate professor who becomes Sabina's lover. As the characters navigate their personal relationships, they grapple with the philosophical implications of choices, freedom, and the nature of 'being' in a world where everything happens but once.

Kundera delves into the complexities of human connection, portraying a world where personal and political spheres are inextricably linked. Through the characters' lives, he illustrates how their private acts and public personas influence and mirror each other. The novel encapsulates the struggles of individuals living under the oppressive regime in Czechoslovakia while also addressing broader existential questions pertinent to the human condition. In this universe, the decisions one makes are irrevocable, and the randomness of events leads to a sense of weightlessness, which Kundera famously describes as 'the unbearable lightness of being'.

The narrative is enriched by Kundera's philosophical musings, merging the narrative with reflections on Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence, the motifs of lightness and weight, and the paradoxes of modern existence. His exploration of the human psyche is both deeply captivating and intellectually stimulating, offering readers a unique blend of story and thought.

The novel is geographically diverse, moving from the politically charged atmosphere of Prague to the serene landscapes of Geneva, and from the vibrancy of Thailand to the complexities of life in the United States. This international scope not only enhances the narrative but also emphasises the universality of its themes.

With its seamless integration of comedy and tragedy, The Unbearable Lightness of Being masterfully captures the full spectrum of human experiences. Kundera's writing is laced with wit and irony, offering bursts of humour while engaging with profound and, at times, heartrending subjects. The characters, bound by their struggles and desires, remain heartbreakingly familiar, making this novel not only an intellectual journey but also an emotionally resonant experience.

This classic work is a testament to Kundera's skill in blending narrative with philosophical exploration, drawing readers into a world where love, fidelity, and political upheaval intertwine with existential musings. The Unbearable Lightness of Being stands as a powerful reflection on the human spirit's resilience and the search for meaning in a transitory world.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviewers praise The Unbearable Lightness of Being as a brilliant work combining high modernist playfulness with deep pathos. It elevates the novel of ideas to new levels of dreamlike lyricism and emotional intensity. Milan Kundera is lauded as a virtuoso, crafting a masterful, original, and richly bold narrative.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571135394

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 August 2000

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main - Re-issue

Contributors:

  • Translated by Michael Henry Heim

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 241g

Pages: 320

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About the Author

Milan Kundera, born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, was a student when the Czech Communist regime was established in 1948, and later worked as a labourer, jazz musician and professor at the Institute for Advanced Cinematographic Studies in Prague. After the Russian invasion in August 1968, his books were proscribed. In 1975, he and his wife settled in France, and in 1981, he became a French citizen. He is the author of the novels The Joke, Life is Elsewhere, Farewell Waltz, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and Immortality, and of the short-story collection Laughable Loves - all originally in Czech. His most recent novels, Slowness, Identity and Ignorance, as well as his non-fiction works The Art of the Novel and Testaments Betrayed, were originally written in French.

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