logo

61 pages 2 hours read

Milan Kundera

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Milan KunderaFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1984

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Milan Kundera

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1984
Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Czechoslovakia • 1960s

Publication Year

1984

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera is set during Czechoslovakia's Prague Spring and the subsequent Russian invasion, exploring the intertwined lives of Tomáš, Tereza, Sabina, and Franz. The novel delves into philosophical themes of duality, the nature of love and desire, and documents sociopolitical changes and dissident activity during the 1960s and 1970s. Topics of persecution and infidelity are included.

Contemplative

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.3

495,484 ratings

77%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being is lauded for its deep philosophical insights, complex characters, and richly woven narrative. Critics appreciate its exploration of existential themes and the human condition. However, some find its philosophical digressions challenging. Overall, the novel is celebrated for its intellectual depth and stylistic elegance.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Unbearable Lightness of Being?

A reader who enjoys philosophical introspection, existential musings, and complex character studies would appreciate The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera. Fans of works like Albert Camus's The Stranger and Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment would find Kundera's exploration of themes such as love, politics, and identity engaging.

4.3

495,484 ratings

77%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Czechoslovakia • 1960s

Publication Year

1984

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.