I finished reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being recently, and I feel underwhelmed.
I admit that some ideas Milan Kundera presented in the novel, such as lightness vs heaviness, are interesting. I think I would rather read a collection of essays by him because his plot and characters did not click for me, and his writing in some sections tested my patience. I lost count of how many times he mentioned bulrush baskets and how Tomas’ hair smelled of other women’s groin.
My biggest issue was my inability to connect or understand the characters and what was the point of their story.
Except for Franz and Tereza in certain chapters, none of the characters were compelling. I understand they are not meant to be likable, but unlikable characters can still be interesting.
Tomas was the worst of the four. I understand he is supposed to represent lightness, as opposed to the heavy characters that inject heaviness and meaning into their actions and convictions like Franz, yet the reason behind his infidelities, his relationship with Tereza, and the political shenanigans he gets involved in feels unconvincing and pointless to me? My frustration with Tomas’ chapters is also because I thought Tereza was a more interesting character, especially her relationship with her mother and her own body and how that related to Tomas’ infidelities. I would have preferred to read more about her and less about Tomas.
Ultimately, what bothered me was that I couldn’t understand what Kundera was trying to say through this relationship. The ending came and they both died and I was left unsatisfied and confused.
On the other hand, I thought the story of Sabina and Franz was more compelling. The misunderstandings, the lightness and the refusal of Sabina to commit vs the heaviness of Franz and his naive idealism were the best parts of the novel for me. Both characters got endings that made sense considering their trajectory in life.
I would love to read what others thought of this novel and how they understood it.
by OrionQX