The Book of Laughter and Forgetting
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Author | Milan Kundera |
|---|---|
| Original title | Kniha smíchu a zapomnění |
| Translator | Michael Henry Heim |
| Country | Czechoslovakia |
| Language | Czech |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | |
| Released | 1979 |
| Released in English | 1980 |
The Book of Laughter and Forgetting is a novel by Milan Kundera, published in 1979. Unusually, the book does not comprise a single narrative progression, but instead is composed of seven separate narratives united by common themes. In particular, the book considers the nature of forgetting as it appears in history, politics and life in general.
Contents |
[edit] Publication History
The original title is: Kniha smíchu a zapomnění, and was then published in France under the title: Le Livre du rire et de l'oubli in 1979. The English translation was first published in the U.S.A. by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. in 1980, and is credited to Michael Henry Heim. Several sections of the book were printed in The New Yorker.
[edit] Plot summary
[edit] Part One: Lost Letters
The first section occurs in 1971 and pertains to the story of Mirek, a former supporter now found to be treasonous, as he explores the depths of his memories pertaining to one woman named Zdena. In his attempt to better his life, knowing that he loved the ugly woman left a blemish, and it was his hope to rectify this through destroying love letters that he had sent her. While he travels to her home and back, he is followed by two men, one of which is described as "a man in a gray jacket, white shirt and tie, and brown slacks." The men make their intentions obvious, even so far as sharing a laugh with Mirek when he manages to lose their tracking thanks to a sports car. Mirek is arrested at his home after several items are confiscated and then sentenced to jail for six years, his son to two years, and ten or so of his friends to terms of from one to six years.
[edit] Part Two: Mother
Marketa invites her mother-in-law to visit her and Karel's home after her mother did nothing but complain. Inviting her to stay for a week - although contending that she must leave Saturday because they had somewhere to be on Sunday - the mother forces her way to stay until Monday. On Sunday morning, Eva - a friend of Karel and Marketa - arrives and is introduced to the mother as Marketa's cousin. Through narration the reader is told that Eva had met and made love to Karel, who then arranged for Eva and Marketa to meet. Through Marketa's suggestion, the three have conducted a sexual relationship over the years. Mother almost catches the three in the act, but instead realizes that Eva reminds her of a friend of hers from Karel's infancy. This makes Karel even more attracted to Eva, and after the mother leaves, they continue with a new force.
[edit] Part Three: The Angels
This section is mostly narration concerning events after the Russians occupied Czechoslovakia, especially Kundera's attempts to write a horoscope under an associates name. A big deal was made when the boss - who had studied Marxism-Leninism for half of his life - requested a private horoscope, which Kundera extended to ten pages long, providing a template for the man to change his life. Eventually, Kundera's associate - code named R. - is eventually brought in for questioning concerning Kundera's clandestine writing, causing them to stop their laughter and start worrying. Kundera also describes 'circle dancing' wherein the joy and laughter build up to the point that the people's steps take them soaring into the sky with the laughing angels.
| Works by Milan Kundera | |
|---|---|
| Novels: The Joke | Laughable Loves | Life Is Elsewhere | The Farewell Waltz | The Book of Laughter and Forgetting | The Unbearable Lightness of Being | Immortality | Slowness | Identity | Ignorance | |
| Non-fiction: The Art of the Novel | Testaments Betrayed | The Curtain | |
| Plays: Jacques and His Master | |
