Jessica T. (jessicatok) reviewed on 4/17/2007 + 29 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 5

"Unbearable Lightness of Being" is not a book to be grabbed lightly. This book chronicles the lives of four intertwined people, Sabina, Franz, Tomas, and Tereza. It is a highly metaphysical look at their lives written from all four perspectives. Though the perspective changes often, there is never a question of which character is speaking, because of their fundamental differences. At first, this shifting of perspective may seem daunting, but ends up giving you critical insights into each of their characters. For instance, as I read Tomas' account of Tereza's often frantic and depressed moods, I found myself irritated with her character. This lasted until I was confronted with her fears, written in her perspective, and then I was able to empathize.

That being said, there is no real "story" to this book. While it follows the long-term lives of the characters, there is no one "plot line" holding them all together, except the theme of revolution, oppression, and betrayal. Characters tumble through time haphazardly and stories mesh together in this account set in Prague and Geneva. The background does not play heavily into the story, but is a backdrop for the turbid and tumultuous feelings and significant life events for each character. It is well worth a read, as it is evocative and insightful. Other times, it might want to make you pull your hair and wonder why you started reading, but it will keep you hanging on right to the end.

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