|
The Unbearable Lightness of Being: A Novel (Perennial Classics) (平装)
by Milan Kundera
| Category:
Fiction |
| Market price: ¥ 158.00
MSL price:
¥ 148.00
[ Shop incentives ]
|
| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
Beautifully written and heartrendingly compelling, this work is an exquisite human journey of self-discovery. |
| If you want us to help you with the right titles you're looking for, or to make reading recommendations based on your needs, please contact our consultants. |
|
| |
AllReviews |
1 2   | Total 2 pages 13 items |
|
|
Vanity Fair (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
Kundera is a virtuoso… A work of the boldest mastery, originality, and richness. |
|
|
New York Times Book Review (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
Brilliant… A work of high modernist playfulness and deep pathos. |
|
|
Damian Kelleher (MSL quote), Australia
<2007-01-09 00:00>
The Unbearable Lightness of Being is an interesting mix of social commentary, history lesson and relationship examination all rolled into one novel that is told, not by a narrator, but by Kundera himself.
The lightness of being is at the focal point of this novel. We are first presented with a brief essay-like section on whether life is a light or a heavy experience, and if it differs for others. He uses historical figures as evidence as to the weight of life, some, like Parmenides, consider life to be a light burden, as 'lightness' is positive and so is being alive, and Nietzsche appears to agree, though for very different reasons. Through- out the novel, Kundera takes over the narration to discuss, contrast and compare the actions of the characters as regards to the philosophy of great men, trying to determine whether life is in fact light or heavy. The conclusion he seems to come to is that it is up to the person themselves to decide, and after that, to decide which out of light or heavy is the negative aspect.
In terms of story, most of the activity centres around Tomas and Tereze, who met through a bizarre sequence of activities. In another show of polarity, Tereze considers these amazing coincidences proof that they should be together forever, whereas as Tomas thinks it means that their relationship will be as fleeting and ephemeral as the chance of them ever meeting. We also get to see on of Tomas' (many) mistresses, Sabine, although the details of her life are presented more to understand Tomas.
About halfway through the novel, we are taken on an excursion into the way life was in Czechoslovakia, with the threat of the Russians and communism, and the way people were deluded. This part is interesting from a historical and social aspect, as our heroes are involved in the proceedings, but thankfully the author does not let his own political ideology take over the narrative at the expense of the characters.
Since we are being told this story by Kundera and not some nameless, faceless narrator, the writing is very playful, tangential and casual. Many things are explained then further explained in brackets (like so), which might seem like the author is bashing our head with the point he is trying to make, but it never comes across as this. Rather, we are thankful for such personal insight.
The book can be very sad, and very weighty, but most of the time it remains light-weight and playful - thus mimicking the subject matter and narrative structure of the story itself. The insight into the Czechoslovakia as a nation and as people is quite interesting also, but as said above, the focus remains on Tomas and Tereze's relationship, and through that, an analysis of all relationship's is made. |
|
|
Maggie Tulliver (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
This book was, from cover to cover, beautiful. The characters were so tragic and real, it's hard to imagine this as fiction. The beauty with which Kundera writes is simply immeasurable. I've been trying to compare him to someone ... but it's impossible. His writing is unique and the story is breathtaking. The story, plot, characters, etc etc etc are deep and meaningful and familiar. You can't come away frfom this book feeling let down because in some way or another, Kundera has written about you. There is nothing light about this book. |
|
|
Bloom (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
Imagine a story of dark horror, philosophical reflection, and enigmatic romance unfolding through the lens of clear blue water. That is what it was like, experiencing this novel for the first time. Kundera is able to burrow within the realm of Nietzschean, and sometimes Eastern Zen-like philosophy and at the same time explore the nature of language, and balance it with a highly nuanced, often meta-physical love story. Tomas is a successful man who has a wife but also loves another woman, Sabina. He is unable to decide whom to live with and his life descends into lightness, and ultimately meaninglessness. That is all I can say of the story. You must experience this fine novel for yourself, and be damn sure you read it before you see the movie! |
|
|
An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
This book is more of a philosophical prose poem than a real novel - the characters are simply embodiments of various attitudes and have little depth. The story itself is disjointed, jumping from the sexual relationships of four main characters at the core of the plot, to unrelated essays on politics, the psychology of kitsch, and other vaguely philosophical topics. The only really redeeming moments come from the intricate and fascinating depiction of the Prague Spring of which Kundera was a part. But with this book Kundera is one of those intellectuals who props up his light-weight curiosities with weighty metaphors and a pompous academic tone.
Kundera's intellectual meanderings leap over logical chasms with a single "therefore" or "it follows that" with little reason for us to follow him. He demands too much from an idea based on a single metaphor. For example, at the very beginning of the book he confidently asserts "In the love poetry of every age, the woman longs to be weighted down by the man's body. The heaviest of burdens is therefore simultaneously an image of life's most intense fulfillment." It sounds profound until you actually think about it. Kundera exaggerates the weight of a man's body during sex into the "heaviest of burdens" - links it with a "therefore" - and makes that sexual weight into "life's most intense fulfillment." This is supposed to illustrate how weight, which is often taken to be a negative thing, can also be positive, but it's a very slipshod connection.
These kinds of rhetorical games, combined with recurrent references to Nietzsche and Beethoven, create an intellectual facade that seems much weightier than it really is. Built on many false presumptions and bolstered by an epic, scholarly tone, the novel is interesting in its musings, but should not be taken too seriously as a work of philosophical or psychological depth.
All in all, I feel that Unbearable can be an interesting diversion if you want to know Milan Kundera's opinions about sex and society, but it's ultimately rather irrelevant and not deserving of its reputation.
(A negative review. MSL remarks.)
|
|
|
K. J. Foehr (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
Milan Kundera is an intellectual author of several books of fiction and poetry, plays, and essays. He is even considered by some to be a philosopher. So if you are looking for light reading or erotic literature, then look elsewhere. Even though it is a fairly easy read and it does have a lot of sex, you will be disappointed with this novel. If, however, you are a thinker who loves ideas, a student of philosophy, or a fan of philosophical fiction, then this "book of ideas" is a must read.
In this book "lightness" is living superficially, uncommitted, and selfishly without purpose. Weight or "heaviness" is living committed to and loving a spouse, burdened with adherence to and sacrifice for principles that are greater than oneself. In this novel Kundera tells a story of how living a life of lightness is inevitably unbearable, untenable, and that in order to find meaning and peace and happiness in this life, we must take on the weight of commitment and purpose outside ourselves.
The philosophy of the novel is essentially existential, and the reader will find many of its concepts operating in the lives of the novel's characters: Life is a series of unique, chance events that the individual experiences in isolation (even though surrounded by people, no one can truly understand the experience of another in the same way); that the universe is indifferent; and that human existence is unexplainable and essentially meaningless; the importance of freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's actions. But there is a lot more in this novel than just these few concepts - much, much more.
I say this novel is flawed because it seems to me to cry out for more rewriting and editing. As it is I call it "near great". It is somewhat disordered, overly sexual, and overly ambitious. It contains too many "philosophical" ideas that are left undeveloped. And it includes a lot of discussion and criticism about Communism and the Soviet "invasion" of Czechoslovakia in the Spring of 1968 (although this does have a profound impact on the main characters in the novel). All of this made the book hard to read and follow, and left me confused as to the intended meaning of the novel.
Of course great literature is hardly ever easy, and some brainpower is usually required to "put it all together". And in the case of a great novel like Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury figuring out what is going on is half the fun! But in the case of The U. L. of B. I don't think Kundera was trying to write just a great novel. He didn't intend to tell a story that we could figure out completely. His purpose was to engender thought. Not to answer all of life's questions, but to raise some of his own for our consideration and reflection. And at the same time to give us some ideas that may help us to find meaning and happiness and purpose in our own lives.
But, even with all the philosophical and intellectual stuff, the novel is still poignant and tender. It even made me cry at one point near the end of the book.
Here are a few questions / ideas to keep in mind while reading the novel: What is the significance of sexual lust and promiscuity in our lives, and how do they relate to love, happiness, and contentment? How do commitment and betrayal relate to love, happiness, and contentment? How much do we really control in our lives, and how much are we victims of circumstance? Can we cope with lack of control and "randomness" (perhaps even absurdity) in our lives and still find happiness and peace of mind? Can we find any truth in a world full of lies, deceit, phoniness, manipulation, scheming, propaganda, and kitsch? In this regard, how does our modern, urban lifestyle compare with a natural, idyllic Garden of Eden life that is without guile? Is our human existence better than that of animals? What can we learn about love from the difference in the way we love animals and people?
After you finish the novel, be sure to watch the movie. It is beautifully done. It stays close to the main plot of the novel, and the screenplay writer did a very good job of clarifying the novel's principal philosophical message. |
|
|
An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
This novel represents the pinnacle of the career of a very talented and relevant writer. Kundera is a writer who can mix philosophy with satire, and humour with very accurate social observations.
In The Unbearable Lightness of Being Kundera tries to determine whether our actions on this earth have significance and therefore weight, or whether our actions have no ramifications and are therefore light and are dead in advance. The question he deems more important however, is which of these two situations is preferrable. Should we attach importance and weight to our actions, or should we live a life without consequence, doing whatever we want, whenever we want and to whomever we want.
Thomas' life is the perfect example of a life lived without weight. He slips from one affair to another without a second thought because he cannot stand the 'ball and chain' effect of staying with one woman. There are those who would see Tomas as a callous womaniser, but for Kundera he is the perfect tool with which to demonstrate the "lighter" way of living. The doctrine of "Einmal ist keinmal" is one that torments Tomas. The idea that a life lived once may as well have never been lived at all, and he will not get to return to test his love for Tereza against his love for other women. Although Tomas feels restricted by this situation, he ultimately grows to accept and even enjoy the lightness of being.
While Tomas battles with lightness, Tereza battles with weight. She is worn down and frustrated by Tomas' philandering, and of the two she is the one who is much more in need of embracing lightness. Through the events of the story and the shifting attitudes and conceptions of the characters, both of them end up coming to the same conclusion with respect to lightness and weight. The debate over these two options is after all the general thrust of this magnificent novel. |
|
|
An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
In short: magnificent. Kundera provides psychological sketches of his major characters and outlines how they interact. Couples brought together by fortuitous coincidences, mistresses exercising their power, secret police probing the populace - it's all here, told from various points of view, each adding more depth to the events that unfold.
I wonder what was lost in translation from Czech to English? The point about the roots of the word "compassion" in Czech vs romance languages provided a better basis for understanding the character of Tomas. There are too many philosophical underpinnings to discuss in a short review, but the variability of connotation, the play of "einmal ist keinmal" off of "es muss sein," and the conception and expression of love are themes that evolve throughout the story.
Thoroughly enjoyable. Not just thought provoking, but soul stirring. Highly recommended.
|
|
|
Mathew Wilson (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-09 00:00>
This book changed my life and the way I look at relationships. It makes one appreciate the complexity of the human spirit and the struggles, baggage and history that people often bring into relationships. This is the type of book that you never want to finish, one of few books that you actually plan to read again even before you are finished, one of the few books that leaves you emotionally exposed but which you still recommend to friends despite the fact that within the pages of the book they may find you- problems, fallacies and all. It makes you humble and realise that it is simply not always about you! |
|
|
|
1 2 | Total 2 pages 13 items |
|
|
|
|
|
|
