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renreads2much's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Really interesting philosophical ideas that were digestible but still somewhat gut wrenching. This book is thought provoking and reminds you to think about your own relationships and what role you play, along with thinking about who you are and your identity. Although this is fictional, it makes you think. I like Milan Kundera's writing and will read more of his work in the future.
jennyyates's review against another edition
3.0
This small gripping novel is the story of two lovers, Jean-Marc and Chantal. It moves from one to the other, following assumptions, emotions, beliefs and ideas - some shared, but mostly held in secret. It's about being seen, and about how we see each other. Identity is not fixed but is drawn from the mirrors around us.
One of the messages of this novel is that, in order to love, you need to be certain that you know who the other person is. Once you start to doubt your lover's identity, love is eroded. In this novel, when love starts to crumble, the lovers encounter their own secret fears. For Chantal, this means being naked, and for Jean-Marc, it means becoming a beggar. The desperation of their own fears drive them back to the safety of their relationship.
One thread of the story concerns Jean-Marc and his friend F (who is nameless because he is rejected as a friend). Jean-Marc does not trust F any more, and withholds recognition of their shared past.
Throughout the book, every trembling inner movement is echoed by some outer event, even if only a passing glance or a quick conversation. This gives the novel a sure rhythm.
One of the messages of this novel is that, in order to love, you need to be certain that you know who the other person is. Once you start to doubt your lover's identity, love is eroded. In this novel, when love starts to crumble, the lovers encounter their own secret fears. For Chantal, this means being naked, and for Jean-Marc, it means becoming a beggar. The desperation of their own fears drive them back to the safety of their relationship.
One thread of the story concerns Jean-Marc and his friend F (who is nameless because he is rejected as a friend). Jean-Marc does not trust F any more, and withholds recognition of their shared past.
Throughout the book, every trembling inner movement is echoed by some outer event, even if only a passing glance or a quick conversation. This gives the novel a sure rhythm.
mirame's review against another edition
2.0
Minä haluaisin pitää Kunderasta. Vastavallankumouksellinen tsekki-kirjailija kuulostaa mielenkiintoiselta. Koen vain Kunderan tekstin ja ajatukset hyvin ulkokohtaisesti - tässäkin kirjassa on muutama mielenkiintoinen ajatus tai ihmiskuvaus, mutta Kunderan henkilöhahmot keskustelevat kuin lukien humanistista essetä suoraan paperista. Tästä kirjasta kirjoitetut arvostelut kuulostavat paljon paremmilta kuin itse kirja.
evelyn470's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting, kind of sad tale about lonely people. Too many comparisons to other Kundera books, this title stands alone.
tylermcgaughey's review against another edition
3.0
This is more linear and to-the-point than [book: The Unbearable Lightness Of Being] or some of Kundera's earlier books. That's not to say that the lucid philosophical tangents one comes to expect from his work is absent here; instead of warranting their own separate chapters, they pop up in the dialogue or thoughts of the characters. The narrative skips along to a puzzling conclusion.
effortlessly_uncool's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
deniseduncan's review against another edition
1.0
No he tenido mucha suerte este verano. He intentado apostar a lo seguro y no me ha salido del todo bien. Es el caso de Milán Kundera y “La identidad”. Un libro curioso pero poco interesante.
La identidad parece más un largo ensayo ficcionalizado que una novela. Los personajes no son creíbles, o al menos las situaciones en las que se desenvuelven y cómo las enfrentan. El autor se entretiene dando grandes lecciones sobre la vida: sí, si apetece uno puede subrayar medio libro, pero las reflexiones tampoco me parecieron tan maravillosas como para perdonar la trama –olvidable- y los protagonistas –anodinos-.
Cuando leí “La broma” tampoco conecté. Tal vez tengo que dejar ir a Kundera y guardar el recuerdo de cuando leí “La insoportable levedad del ser”, hará unos diez años y me cautivó. Ni siquiera me atrevo a releerlo, tengo miedo de que aquello se parezca a esto y de que mis gustos literarios se hayan desviado tan drásticamente.
La identidad parece más un largo ensayo ficcionalizado que una novela. Los personajes no son creíbles, o al menos las situaciones en las que se desenvuelven y cómo las enfrentan. El autor se entretiene dando grandes lecciones sobre la vida: sí, si apetece uno puede subrayar medio libro, pero las reflexiones tampoco me parecieron tan maravillosas como para perdonar la trama –olvidable- y los protagonistas –anodinos-.
Cuando leí “La broma” tampoco conecté. Tal vez tengo que dejar ir a Kundera y guardar el recuerdo de cuando leí “La insoportable levedad del ser”, hará unos diez años y me cautivó. Ni siquiera me atrevo a releerlo, tengo miedo de que aquello se parezca a esto y de que mis gustos literarios se hayan desviado tan drásticamente.
gyska's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nzagalo's review against another edition
4.0
Kundera escreve sobre a condição humana do casal, indo ao seu âmago, o corpo da sua identidade. Kundera é um autor checo radicado em França, e isso coloca-o inevitavelmente em linha com muitos autores, ditos europeus, em termos de sentimentos. Enquanto lia A Identidade, e a narrativa se adensava de mistério, próprio do storytelling, não conseguia parar de associar o ritmo com o do cinema europeu. Nomeadamente A Identidade de Kundera, não fica muito longe da primeira parte de Caché (2005) de Haneke. Local, cenário, ambiente, atmosfera, língua, ritmo e estética. Mas depois seguem caminhos distintos, Haneke é friamente visceral, Kundera por seu lado não larga o centro que une o casal, os pequenos desvios, são apenas isso, concentrando-se na essência do que os mantém juntos. A irrealidade, o simulacro e o sonho são aqui várias vezes chamados, mas apenas como manobras de aprofundamento da proximidade da essência dos seres do casal.