The Unbearable Lightness of Being
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Milan Kundera
Alain de Botton
A book that I gave out a lot. - Alain de Botton
Justin Boreta
Justin Boreta's answer to "if you could take one book to a desert island, what would it be?"
Evan Spiegel
Evan Spiegel's favorite book.
Shah Rukh Khan
I am re reading now. - Shah Rukh Khan
Ev Williams
On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
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The Unbearable Lightness of Being

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Milan Kundera
By
Milan Kundera
4.1
26600
ratings on Goodreads

In "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," Milan Kundera masterfully weaves an intricate narrative exploring the intricate ballet of love and betrayal, set against the backdrop of the Prague Spring. Through the lives of Tomas, a philandering surgeon, and Tereza, his devoted but tormented wife, along with their complex entanglements with the alluring artist Sabina and her steadfast lover Franz, Kundera delves deep into the existential quandaries of freedom versus commitment, the ephemeral versus the eternal, and the eponymous lightness and weight of being. This profound and poignant novel, rich in philosophical undertones and laced with irony and wit, unfolds a tapestry of human relationships and desires, questioning the very essence of existence and love. Kundera's narrative transcends the personal, touching the universal through its exploration of historical forces and individual destinies. The characters navigate the tumultuous landscapes of love, politics, and identity, their lives a testament to the struggle for authenticity in an inauthentic world. With its lyrical prose, "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" not only captures the heart of a specific historical moment but speaks to the timeless human condition, making it a seminal work in the canon of modern literature. It stands as a compelling invitation to reflect on the paradoxes of life, love, and the choices that define us.

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Released
1984
1 Jan
Length
314
Pages

5

recommendations

recommendation

A book that I gave out a lot. - Alain de Botton
Evan Spiegel's favorite book.
Justin Boreta's answer to "if you could take one book to a desert island, what would it be?"
I am re reading now. - Shah Rukh Khan
On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
Anyone whose goal is 'something higher' must expect someday to suffer vertigo. What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than fear of falling. It is the voice of the emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves.
— Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being

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