Status Updates From المزحة

Another viewpoint. Kostka and the relation of religion and communism. Not the most subtle construction.
Ludvik's revenge on Zemanek fails. Zemanek has a young student lover and wanted to leave Helena anyway. The generation conflict of the righteousness of youth vs. failed hopes with demands for retribution is personified. Someone close to 40 years is already worn for Kundera.

Ludvik is at the center of the narration. Today, he would be called a narcissist in the way he acts. But he's self-reflected. Twenty years later, he tricked the wife of his accuser into sleeping with him.
His viewpoint is balanced by short other ones. Helena, the obedient tricked wife. Jaroslaw, a former friend engaged in folklore and traditional values to the aid of the communist regime, now pushed to the side.