The Unbearable Lightness of Being

'A dark and brilliant achievement' (Ian McEwan)
Offers a wide range of philosophical speculations and it descants on a variety of styles. This book draws together the Czechoslovakia of the Prague Spring and the Russian invasion, the philosophy of Nietzsche, and the love affairs of a number of heartbreakingly familiar characters.

40th anniversary edition of the bestselling modern classic: Milan Kundera's iconic novel of love and politics in communist Czechoslovakia.

'Shamelessly clever . Exhilaratingly subversive and funny.' Independent
'A modern classic . As relevant now as when it was first published. ' John Banville

A young woman is in love with a successful surgeon: a man torn between his love for her and his womanising. His mistress, a free-spirited artist, lives her life as a series of betrayals, while her other lover stands to lose everything because of his noble qualities. In a world where lives are shaped by choices and events, and everything occurs but once, existence seems to lose its substance and weight - and we feel 'the unbearable lightness of being'.

Kundera's classic provoked a whole generation, encompassing passion and philosophy, body and soul, the Prague Spring and modern America, political acts and private desires, comedy and tragedy - in fact, all of human existence.

What readers are saying:
'Some books change your mind, some change your heart, the very best change your whole world . A mighty piece of work, that will shape your life forever.'

'One of the best books I've ever read . A book about love and life, full of surprises. Beautiful.'

'This book is going to change your life . It definitely leaves you with a hangover after you're done reading.'

'Kundera writes about love as if in a trance so the beauty of it is enchanting and dreamy . Will stay with you.'