Michelle D. - , reviewed on + 5 more book reviews
I enjoyed the in-depth development of the characters. A few times I lost patience because i couldn't see where the author was taking me. I read the first part of the book while multitasking and regretted it later on...pay attention to the subject of "lightness"...it's important. The four main characters are not immensely likable nor are they despicable in their character flaws. Kundera unfolds the story of their intersecting lives by delving into the depths of the intimate personality of each.
If you are a person who cannot put your morals in your pocket then this may not be the book for you. Tomas is married to Tereza but he has a daily appetite for other women, including Sabina. Tomas separates love and sex, Tereza cannot but is unable to leave Tomas and lives with almost debilitating anxiety as a result of his philandering. Sabina is a free-spirit, artist-type who was involved with Tomas and Franz. Franz left his wife and daughter to be with Sabina.
In a word, this book is about betrayal, not sex. It is not specifically about the physical act of sex but is about the meanings each character associates with sexuality, sexual participation, and love. The characters experiences with betrayal are portrayed in good detail...often in the realm of the bedroom which is the window to seeing into the psyche.
Overall, I liked it, didn't love it. Gave it 4-stars because Kundera is skilled with the use of language. Would have rated it higher if there were better transitions, as it is, I felt there were often abrupt endings/transitions that interfered with the flow.
If you are a person who cannot put your morals in your pocket then this may not be the book for you. Tomas is married to Tereza but he has a daily appetite for other women, including Sabina. Tomas separates love and sex, Tereza cannot but is unable to leave Tomas and lives with almost debilitating anxiety as a result of his philandering. Sabina is a free-spirit, artist-type who was involved with Tomas and Franz. Franz left his wife and daughter to be with Sabina.
In a word, this book is about betrayal, not sex. It is not specifically about the physical act of sex but is about the meanings each character associates with sexuality, sexual participation, and love. The characters experiences with betrayal are portrayed in good detail...often in the realm of the bedroom which is the window to seeing into the psyche.
Overall, I liked it, didn't love it. Gave it 4-stars because Kundera is skilled with the use of language. Would have rated it higher if there were better transitions, as it is, I felt there were often abrupt endings/transitions that interfered with the flow.
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