Kundera and Modernity

Comparative Cultural Studies

by Liisa Steinby

While a large amount of scholarship about Milan Kundera's work exists, in Liisa Steinby's opinion, his work has not been studied within the context of (European) modernity as a sociohistorical and a cultural concept. Of course, he is considered to be a modernist writer (some call him even a postmodernist), but what the broader concept of modernity intellectually, historically, socially, and culturally means for him and how this is expressed in his texts has not been thoroughly examined. Steinby's book fills this vacuum by analyzing Kundera's novels from the viewpoint of his understanding of the existential problems in the culture of modernity. In addition, his relation to those modernist novelists from the first half of the twentieth century who are most important for him is scrutinized in detail. Steinby's "Kundera and Modernity" is intended for students of modernism in literary and (comparative) cultural studies, as well as those interested in European and Central European studies.Key Offers new insights into the work of the popular modern writer Milan Kundera. Expands the reader's understanding of the meaning of the concept of "modernity."Widens the literature available in English about Central European culture.

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

AKA Liisa Saariluoma

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I come to this book with no previous background knowledge of European literary history or literature composition. This analysis becomes a surprisingly personal read, and arises much interest in me about the big picture the book sets in.