Aspects of this book felt fantastic. Particularly the chapters between Franz and Sabina (although both independently annoying) and their differing perspectives on words like “strength”. There is one major problem, the book is advertised as a narrative when it barely is.

The book is almost like a trick for Kundera to spout his philosophical perspectives using false characters. The constant fourth wall breaking and unprompted philosophy, a reader feels distant from the narrative and more like a presentation. To add, the characters were of course molded to express Kundera’s points. Sometimes this meant completely irrational behavior on their part to make his beliefs clear in examples. Overall, I think some chapters can make it worth it, and I generally did like the character Teresa. But it definitely wasn’t my favorite, especially with the hype it has.

-Uma