Life is Elsewhere
Life is Elsewhere
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1973
Book Brief
432
Novel • Fiction
Czechoslovakia • 1940s
1973
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Life is Elsewhere by Milan Kundera follows Jaromil, a poetic prodigy raised by an overbearing mother in Czechoslovakia before, during, and after WWII, chronicling his journey from a coddled child to a disillusioned adult, struggling with love, independence, and revolutionary fervor, only to face an unfulfilled life and untimely demise.
Mysterious
Fantastical
Melancholic
Contemplative
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
20,162 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Life is Elsewhere by Milan Kundera offers a rich, philosophical exploration of artistic ambition and political ideology. Critics praise its poetic prose and deep character analysis but note its dense, sometimes inaccessible narrative. The novel's satire on revolutionary zeal and poetic idealism strikes a chord, yet its complexity may challenge some readers.
Who Should Read Life is Elsewhere?
Life is Elsewhere by Milan Kundera captivates readers who enjoy introspective and satirical examinations of identity and art. Fans of Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and Franz Kafka's The Trial will appreciate Kundera's exploration of personal and political turmoil through a poetic and philosophical lens.
20,162 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
432
Novel • Fiction
Czechoslovakia • 1940s
1973
Adult
18+ years
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