**PBT note: I didn't read this with the idea that it fit the tag, but it absolutely does.**
What a strange book. I'm surprised it somehow "broke out" and became as well read as it has. It's certainly original. It really combines philosophy with a novel, and I'm never too excited about a novel that feels it needs to "spell out" the philosophy that supposedly is inherent in the storytelling. Nonetheless, it was readable, and I actually enjoyed (and often agreed with) the philosophical musings enough that I was able to appreciate the book on the whole.
I'm super anxious to look at Sparknotes' analysis now that I've finished the story. I feel like there were major philosophical points that I strongly agreed with, but I'm not sure whether my interpretations are on the money. Looking forward to finding out . . .
The novel itself is primarily about a relationship between a surgeon, Tomas, and his one true love, Tereza. Tomas is a womanizer, and the story also envelops his lover, Sabina, as well as Tomas' and Tereza's dog, Karenin. The story jumps around in time and has dream sequences, so it's not the easiest to follow, but it does have some very heartfelt moments throughout. As an author, I'd characterize Kundera as insightful, but he seems to write in order to show how insightful he is as opposed to with the reader in mind.
All in all, I am glad I read it and look forward to reading more analysis and discussing it with my book club. But I probably wouldn't go around recommending it except to people who really like authors who play with structure and who don't mind non-linear stories with "lessons". A narrow group of readers at best.
What a strange book. I'm surprised it somehow "broke out" and became as well read as it has. It's certainly original. It really combines philosophy with a novel, and I'm never too excited about a novel that feels it needs to "spell out" the philosophy that supposedly is inherent in the storytelling. Nonetheless, it was readable, and I actually enjoyed (and often agreed with) the philosophical musings enough that I was able to appreciate the book on the whole.
I'm super anxious to look at Sparknotes' analysis now that I've finished the story. I feel like there were major philosophical points that I strongly agreed with, but I'm not sure whether my interpretations are on the money. Looking forward to finding out . . .
The novel itself is primarily about a relationship between a surgeon, Tomas, and his one true love, Tereza. Tomas is a womanizer, and the story also envelops his lover, Sabina, as well as Tomas' and Tereza's dog, Karenin. The story jumps around in time and has dream sequences, so it's not the easiest to follow, but it does have some very heartfelt moments throughout. As an author, I'd characterize Kundera as insightful, but he seems to write in order to show how insightful he is as opposed to with the reader in mind.
All in all, I am glad I read it and look forward to reading more analysis and discussing it with my book club. But I probably wouldn't go around recommending it except to people who really like authors who play with structure and who don't mind non-linear stories with "lessons". A narrow group of readers at best.
A book to appreciate more than to enjoy.