Becky’s review of The Unbearable Lightness of Being > Likes and Comments
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I completely agree. I felt the same exact way.
I think I stopped reading in the same place you did. I think I liked the Nanny Diaries better ... seriously.
Thank you. I am trying to struggle through because I just want to finish it, but by God, it is a uphill struggle.
Give it up - you'll feel better immediately.
Becky wrote: "Give it up - you'll feel better immediately."
Haha indeeeeed :) I just love that someone else share my same feeling :)
It's been a long time since I read this (don't even own a copy anymore). Remember it vaguely. Not particularly impressed, but didn't hate it with the blazing passion you seem to. Your review encourages me to not bother revisiting it, though ...
Don't do it. There are other, better, more worthwhile books to spend your time on. Don't waste it re-reading a book that left no impression on you at all. In five years, you'll just wonder why you bothered after you've forgotten all about it again.
After seeing this book recommended everywhere to the skies, I'm so glad I'm not the only one very underwhelmed by it. Haha I felt kind of guilty even.. was there something I was just too thick to see which made it so fantastic? Definitely glad I gave it up!
You don't understand it and you call it "stupid"? Oh let's see, we've got a smartass over here...
Looking for your insightful review, Rosy... ;)
Rosy wrote: "You don't understand it and you call it "stupid"? Oh let's see, we've got a smartass over here..."
First of all, reading comprehension is your friend. I said I didn't understand the characters, as in why they'd act in the incredibly stupid and ridiculous ways they did. I can't understand why anyone would want to stay with a cheating manipulator shithead like Tomas. That is fucking stupid.
That's not being a smartass, that's just fact.
But, by all means, tell me what I've missed or why I should have wasted my time and kept reading this miserable trash. I'm waiting.
I've been struggling to read this book ever since a very dear friend of mine recommended it, which was about 4 or 5 months ago. And I just can't do it. I do like it when authors try hard, it's okay to be a little pretentious. But Kundera is simply too damn much. This book gives neither interesting characters --going back and forth on their lives and trying to find meaning on every little thing they do doesn't make for an interesting character-- nor a good plot. Which leaves the philosophical part. See, I keep making myself excuses for not being able to connect to this particular part of the book, I tell myself "maybe I'm not in the mood for this right now". But it's been five freaking months, and God knows I can't be that shallow.
Just let it go, Barbara. It's not worth it. Life is too short to read shitty books.
That is the correct assessment, Alissa. :P
I like your review despite absolutely loving Milan Kundera.
Denae wrote: "I like your review despite absolutely loving Milan Kundera."
Thanks Denae.... I will pass any Kundera books I find along to you. LOL
Becky wrote: "Denae wrote: "I like your review despite absolutely loving Milan Kundera."
Thanks Denae.... I will pass any Kundera books I find along to you. LOL"
You'd have to really look to find a fictional one I haven't read.
I read this book over 20 years ago. I am poor at remembering what books were about but this review was brilliant in reawakening my memory of the story, and in such a funny and concise way. Thank you!
Haven't read it, but I can say that the movie is a pretentious piece of shit, so avoid that too. And great review!
Kirk wrote: "Haven't read it, but I can say that the movie is a pretentious piece of shit, so avoid that too. And great review!"
"Pretentious piece of shit" just about sums it up.
oh I'm so happy to find agreement with my asssment. I've been struggling to finish it in time for my book club tonight, I am so mad I picked a stupid book like this. But feel so much better now to hear that its not only me, not everyone likes it. Thanks everyone!
Thank good I am not the only one! Seriously, I've trudged through almost half of this, even dropping it for 6 mos. Picked up again today as I kept thinking there must be a reason everyone loves this so much. I give up though. Thank you for the push :)
i feel so bad about wanting to give up on it, i don't know maybe forcing me to finish this book :( i don't indentify at all neither...
After trudging thru 100 pages, I was just.......not.......getting.......it! I finally turned to Goodreads. I knew it wasn't me!
Kathy wrote: "After trudging thru 100 pages, I was just.......not.......getting.......it! I finally turned to Goodreads. I knew it wasn't me!"
Definitely not just you! This was completely lost on me. I like grim and bleak, but this was just... dumb. Completely unrealistic.
Where's the lightness??? This sounds depressing.
MrsJoseph wrote: "Where's the lightness??? This sounds depressing."
Ugh... it was unbearable.
Thank you for your review! I couldn't have said it better. There is so much wrong with these characters, I can't finish this one.
20 pages in and I already can’t stand the portrayal of women in this book. They are weak (Tereza), they are conniving (the mother of Tomas’ son). I can’t believe all the good reviews - This one is going back to the library unfinished.
Julie wrote: "20 pages in and I already can’t stand the portrayal of women in this book. They are weak (Tereza), they are conniving (the mother of Tomas’ son). I can’t believe all the good reviews - This one is ..."
I didn't even make it that far. Kudos to you!
Thank you, thank you for putting into words the hate that I feel in my soul when it comes to this book. :)
The author tells you himself - the book is not at all about the characters. Books in general, are more than just characters or stories. This is a comment on the meaning of life and the different and conflicting views the author has on several topics. It's about dillemmas, thinking about one topic differently at different points of your life.
Daniela wrote: "The author tells you himself - the book is not at all about the characters. Books in general, are more than just characters or stories. This is a comment on the meaning of life and the different and conflicting views the author has on several topics. It's about dillemmas, thinking about one topic differently at different points of your life."
The author doesn't get to determine how readers approach or interpret or feel about their work. They write what they write, with whatever intent they have, and then it's released out into the world and people will react to it as they will.
Daniela, I have to disagree, I think the characters and the plot of a novel are so critical and it’s hard to try and understand the “underlying meaning of the novel” when I don’t care an iota about the characters and feel nothing about them.
Yeah, from what I've gleaned from people talking about it, including the author himself, the characters weren't really the point of the book at all, so if character is the end all be all for someone it just ain't gonna work. I can definitely appreciate an idea book with shallowly drawn character so I might still try and read it someday, but god does Tomas sound fucking insufferable.
Definitely not the end all be all feature for me, but pretty important. And yeah, he was.
I 100% agree with this. I only managed to read about 30 pages before giving up. I hated the 2 characters so much that I couldnt stand reading about them anymore.
Thank you for your review! Will not be picking this up 🤗
Svetlana wrote: "Thank you for your review! Will not be picking this up 🤗"
Saved another one! ;)
I wish you could have saved me all those years ago lol
Erin wrote: "I wish you could have saved me all those years ago lol"
I'm sorry! One day we will have time travel technology, and maybe I still can! :P
Wow. THAT'S what this book is about?! Great review.
Totally agree! Just a lot of weird and unexplained things as well.
I got 27% of the way through and for goodness sake I should have just read this review and stopped. So terrible. Thanks for the great review.
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Brandylynne
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Aug 12, 2013 08:24PM
I completely agree. I felt the same exact way.
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I think I stopped reading in the same place you did. I think I liked the Nanny Diaries better ... seriously.
Thank you. I am trying to struggle through because I just want to finish it, but by God, it is a uphill struggle.
Give it up - you'll feel better immediately.
Becky wrote: "Give it up - you'll feel better immediately."Haha indeeeeed :) I just love that someone else share my same feeling :)
It's been a long time since I read this (don't even own a copy anymore). Remember it vaguely. Not particularly impressed, but didn't hate it with the blazing passion you seem to. Your review encourages me to not bother revisiting it, though ...
Don't do it. There are other, better, more worthwhile books to spend your time on. Don't waste it re-reading a book that left no impression on you at all. In five years, you'll just wonder why you bothered after you've forgotten all about it again.
After seeing this book recommended everywhere to the skies, I'm so glad I'm not the only one very underwhelmed by it. Haha I felt kind of guilty even.. was there something I was just too thick to see which made it so fantastic? Definitely glad I gave it up!
You don't understand it and you call it "stupid"? Oh let's see, we've got a smartass over here...
Looking for your insightful review, Rosy... ;)
Rosy wrote: "You don't understand it and you call it "stupid"? Oh let's see, we've got a smartass over here..."First of all, reading comprehension is your friend. I said I didn't understand the characters, as in why they'd act in the incredibly stupid and ridiculous ways they did. I can't understand why anyone would want to stay with a cheating manipulator shithead like Tomas. That is fucking stupid.
That's not being a smartass, that's just fact.
But, by all means, tell me what I've missed or why I should have wasted my time and kept reading this miserable trash. I'm waiting.
I've been struggling to read this book ever since a very dear friend of mine recommended it, which was about 4 or 5 months ago. And I just can't do it. I do like it when authors try hard, it's okay to be a little pretentious. But Kundera is simply too damn much. This book gives neither interesting characters --going back and forth on their lives and trying to find meaning on every little thing they do doesn't make for an interesting character-- nor a good plot. Which leaves the philosophical part. See, I keep making myself excuses for not being able to connect to this particular part of the book, I tell myself "maybe I'm not in the mood for this right now". But it's been five freaking months, and God knows I can't be that shallow.
Just let it go, Barbara. It's not worth it. Life is too short to read shitty books.
That is the correct assessment, Alissa. :P
I like your review despite absolutely loving Milan Kundera.
Denae wrote: "I like your review despite absolutely loving Milan Kundera."Thanks Denae.... I will pass any Kundera books I find along to you. LOL
Becky wrote: "Denae wrote: "I like your review despite absolutely loving Milan Kundera."Thanks Denae.... I will pass any Kundera books I find along to you. LOL"
You'd have to really look to find a fictional one I haven't read.
I read this book over 20 years ago. I am poor at remembering what books were about but this review was brilliant in reawakening my memory of the story, and in such a funny and concise way. Thank you!
Haven't read it, but I can say that the movie is a pretentious piece of shit, so avoid that too. And great review!
Kirk wrote: "Haven't read it, but I can say that the movie is a pretentious piece of shit, so avoid that too. And great review!""Pretentious piece of shit" just about sums it up.
oh I'm so happy to find agreement with my asssment. I've been struggling to finish it in time for my book club tonight, I am so mad I picked a stupid book like this. But feel so much better now to hear that its not only me, not everyone likes it. Thanks everyone!
Thank good I am not the only one! Seriously, I've trudged through almost half of this, even dropping it for 6 mos. Picked up again today as I kept thinking there must be a reason everyone loves this so much. I give up though. Thank you for the push :)
i feel so bad about wanting to give up on it, i don't know maybe forcing me to finish this book :( i don't indentify at all neither...
After trudging thru 100 pages, I was just.......not.......getting.......it! I finally turned to Goodreads. I knew it wasn't me!
Kathy wrote: "After trudging thru 100 pages, I was just.......not.......getting.......it! I finally turned to Goodreads. I knew it wasn't me!"Definitely not just you! This was completely lost on me. I like grim and bleak, but this was just... dumb. Completely unrealistic.
Where's the lightness??? This sounds depressing.
MrsJoseph wrote: "Where's the lightness??? This sounds depressing."Ugh... it was unbearable.
Thank you for your review! I couldn't have said it better. There is so much wrong with these characters, I can't finish this one.
20 pages in and I already can’t stand the portrayal of women in this book. They are weak (Tereza), they are conniving (the mother of Tomas’ son). I can’t believe all the good reviews - This one is going back to the library unfinished.
Julie wrote: "20 pages in and I already can’t stand the portrayal of women in this book. They are weak (Tereza), they are conniving (the mother of Tomas’ son). I can’t believe all the good reviews - This one is ..."I didn't even make it that far. Kudos to you!
Thank you, thank you for putting into words the hate that I feel in my soul when it comes to this book. :)
The author tells you himself - the book is not at all about the characters. Books in general, are more than just characters or stories. This is a comment on the meaning of life and the different and conflicting views the author has on several topics. It's about dillemmas, thinking about one topic differently at different points of your life.
Daniela wrote: "The author tells you himself - the book is not at all about the characters. Books in general, are more than just characters or stories. This is a comment on the meaning of life and the different and conflicting views the author has on several topics. It's about dillemmas, thinking about one topic differently at different points of your life."The author doesn't get to determine how readers approach or interpret or feel about their work. They write what they write, with whatever intent they have, and then it's released out into the world and people will react to it as they will.
Daniela, I have to disagree, I think the characters and the plot of a novel are so critical and it’s hard to try and understand the “underlying meaning of the novel” when I don’t care an iota about the characters and feel nothing about them.
Yeah, from what I've gleaned from people talking about it, including the author himself, the characters weren't really the point of the book at all, so if character is the end all be all for someone it just ain't gonna work. I can definitely appreciate an idea book with shallowly drawn character so I might still try and read it someday, but god does Tomas sound fucking insufferable.
Definitely not the end all be all feature for me, but pretty important. And yeah, he was.
I 100% agree with this. I only managed to read about 30 pages before giving up. I hated the 2 characters so much that I couldnt stand reading about them anymore.
Thank you for your review! Will not be picking this up 🤗
Svetlana wrote: "Thank you for your review! Will not be picking this up 🤗"Saved another one! ;)
I wish you could have saved me all those years ago lol
Erin wrote: "I wish you could have saved me all those years ago lol"I'm sorry! One day we will have time travel technology, and maybe I still can! :P
Wow. THAT'S what this book is about?! Great review.
Totally agree! Just a lot of weird and unexplained things as well.
I got 27% of the way through and for goodness sake I should have just read this review and stopped. So terrible. Thanks for the great review.
