March / Kundera Book: The Unbearable Lightness of Being

[Scheherazade]

[CENTER]

In March, we are reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, who said:

For a novelist, a given historic situation is an anthropologic laboratory in which he explores his basic question: What is human existence?

Summary from amazon.com:

Set first in Czechoslovakia, then in Switzerland, Kundera's story tells the sometimes laborious story of a womanizing Czech surgeon forced to flee the Russian invasion and take on menial roles, giving his passion for the flesh a slighly different perspective, as he is no longer a doctor but just a window-washer. His relationship with this current female-of-choice, the interesting and puzzling Tereza, is at the center of the novel.

Book Club Procedures

[papayahed]

ok, I read the first chapter. What is this guy trying to say?

[Scheherazade]

Just realised that my library does not have a copy so will have to look around to find a copy. The only bookstore in town closed down last month as well

[Idril]

ok, I read the first chapter. What is this guy trying to say?

You know, the philosophy parts are a little sketchy, I find it best to just disregard them. No, I'm kidding of course, at least to a certain extent I don't actually completely disregard them but I do put them aside and move on. Sometimes the point of those little tangents doesn't become apparent for awhile. It makes more sense to me now that I've read the whole thing, I can make it fit in with the rest of the story but it's not at all apparent when it's the first thing you read.

[papayahed]

Just realised that my library does not have a copy so will have to look around to find a copy. The only bookstore in town closed down last month as well

My library was out as well, I had to buy the damn thing. Oh how I suffer for my book club .

[papayahed]

You know, the philosophy parts are a little sketchy, I find it best to just disregard them. No, I'm kidding of course, at least to a certain extent I don't actually completely disregard them but I do put them aside and move on. Sometimes the point of those little tangents doesn't become apparent for awhile. It makes more sense to me now that I've read the whole thing, I can make it fit in with the rest of the story but it's not at all apparent when it's the first thing you read.

I've gotten past the philosophy and now I'm not really liking Tomas. (He actually reminds me of someone I know. )

[Anthony Furze]

I ve finished the first section "Lightness and Weight" and I ve yet to get to grips with this novel.

Tomas is definitely an unsympathetic character and we only see things through his eyes really. I think I m a liittle sorry for Tereza, but we re not told much about her inner thoughts and feelings.

The philosophy parts come across as "clever" but I ve yet to see their purpose in the novel.

Sabina strikes me as one of the strongest characters so far. Im not that up on Czech history, except for general knowledge. Would it help?

[Asa Adams]

I got my copy today, and I started the first chapter, and I too have had issues with the authors meaning. It is an awkward start, but I do enjoy a book about such things like the eternal return. And so far, though it is slightly skiddish, the book seems promising.

[Idril]

Tomas is definitely an unsympathetic character and we only see things through his eyes really. I think I m a liittle sorry for Tereza, but we re not told much about her inner thoughts and feelings.

I've gotten past the philosophy and now I'm not really liking Tomas. (He actually reminds me of someone I know. )

It's Tereza that I have the most problems with. She's so needy and insecure and why she chooses to stay with someone like Tomas who seems to be incapable of fidelity is beyond me. She's your classic martyr in many ways and I've never had much patience with martyrs. I do think Tomas loves her in his way, although whether it's real love or just the need to take care of her is a point worth arguing.

[Anthony Furze]

Well, Im into Section 2 and Im warming to the novel. Love the biography of Tereza s mum! Im glad Tereza is being followed up.

[Taliesin]

We feel Tomas is a very human character. He has got some problems about fidelity, but we think he loves Tereza. He suffers so much about her pain (yeah, compassion, not love, but still) and can sleep besides her.
And we like the philosophical parts. This novel is a bit like a tractate.
Sabina seems to be a very interesting character too, doesn't she? Remember how she said that he loves Tomas, because he is the opposite of kitcsh? That he couldn't be the hero of any american or russian movie, only an antagonist?

[Pensive]

I am not being able to find it anywhere.

[Anthony Furze]

I got it from Liberty Bookshop over here in Karachi, Pakistan.

Part two is more interesting though I fail to see the relevance of the title except for some rather obvious references.Tereza s background is very nicely put together-I like the parts about her mother!

I ve started "Words Misunderstood"

[Idril]

Tereza s background is very nicely put together-I like the parts about her mother!

Well, it certainly explains why she allows herself to be such a victim and why she was so anxious to attach herself to Tomas.

[Asa Adams]

I must say, Unfortunately, the Unbearable lightness of being is just that...Unbearable.