What readers say
Published in 1984, but reflecting on an earlier time, one filled with artists of the Salon and the KGB, this book makes me feel like I’m wandering through historic europe. Written in a time where Russia was occupying Czech. There are secret police roaming the streets of Russian occupied cities; protests which fade to compliance of the new rules. Censored speech “we don’t like what you said about us in the paper, how you made us look. Think about retracting your statement.” Lots of discussion on communism, coming from an author who lived in a nation swept swiftly under communist rule which didn’t initially realize the consequences that came with it. Interesting topic to read about looking back today. The book follows two main romantic affairs with a common thread, Sabina. Taking place in two different places at two different times. The lives of all involved are discussed; the initial heartless Tomas, his puppy dog wife Tereza, Sabina’s other desperate lover, Franz, and Franz’ badass wife, Marie Claude. The writing is poetic, understandable, and modern, despite the year this was written. Still applicable to life and people today. Everyone feels the same thing; longing for what we can’t have, desire for what we have tried, grief for ourselves and love we have lost. Everyone feels the same feelings, no matter what era and country you are in. Men always act like men, on instinct, women always react emotionally. Love is love, and everyone has their own answer for what love is. Towards the end, Kundera admits that all the characters are choices he didn’t make, lives he could have lived. This book was apparently translated from Czech, which makes so much sense, and I kind of loved it.