The self-deprecation and political cynicism of the Czech writers of
Kundera's middle-aged generation appear as fine ironies in this
novel about a young poet. It is a remarkable study of an artist
dominated by his mother and his narcissism. Jaromil was the
exclusive property of his mother from the time of his conception
(she wanted to name him Apollo, meaning fatherless) to his early
death - the final reconciliation to his mother's embrace. The
discovery that words brought magic approbation from Maman and her
friends made Jaromil a poet; the desire to achieve manhood made him
a Party poet, zealously censoring his betters and relishing the
poetry evening at the police academy. How his mother engulfed his
Communism and his love affairs could trove been mere if very funny
farce, but Kundera also mobilizes a strain of real tenderness, even
for Maman, which was not found in the short stories of Laughable
Loves (appearing simultaneously). The dramatization of
self-dramatization, the light but brutal explicitness about the
egoism of love and mother-love, make this a work of instruction in
the good, old sense. Winner of a 1973 Medicis Literary Award.
(Kirkus Reviews)
A budding poet and his adoring mother are the central characters of
this intriguing early novel by Milan Kundera. He takes us through
the young man's fantasies and love affairs in a characteristic tour
de force, alive with wit, eroticism and ideas.
General
| Imprint: |
Faber and Faber
|
| Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
| Release date: |
September 2000 |
| Authors: |
Milan Kundera
|
| Translators: |
Aaron Asher
|
| Dimensions: |
197 x 127 x 18mm (L x W x T) |
| Format: |
Paperback - B-format
|
| Pages: |
261 |
| Edition: |
Main |
| ISBN-13: |
978-0-571-19777-4 |
| Categories: |
Books
|
| LSN: |
0-571-19777-9 |
| Barcode: |
9780571197774 |
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