Farewell Waltz by Milan Kundera - Fiction - Paperback
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Title:
Farewell Waltz
Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780571194711
Overview:
Farewell Waltz is Milan Kundera’s compact, razor-sharp novella, originally published in Czech in 1972 as Valčík na rozloučenou. In this brisk, sparkling tale, a small spa town becomes the stage for eight intertwined lives whose destinies collide over a single moment of indiscretion. The setting—a curative retreat in Czechoslovakia during the early 1970s—unfolds with exuberant wit as jealousy, memory, and desire spiral into a farcical, almost Shakespearean comedy. Yet beneath the playfulness, Kundera threads weightier questions: what happens to love when the pressures of politics, social propriety, and time intrude? How does memory distort truth, and how is happiness negotiated in a world that often seems to deny tragedy? The novel’s tone blends light, blasphemous humor with a serious inquiry into human fragility, making the reader laugh even as they confront uncomfortable truths. This English edition offers a fluent bridge to Kundera’s philosophy of life, longing, and the paradoxes of modern existence. Perfect for readers who relish literary fiction that doubles as brisk social satire, Farewell Waltz rewards attentive readers who enjoy novels that linger long after the final page.
What Makes This Book Stand Out:
Few writers blend theatrical mischief with philosophical inquiry as deftly as Kundera. The eight characters in a spa town create a microcosm of society where comedy and tragedy collide, each voice revealing a different facet of desire and fear. The narrative moves with a musical rhythm, switching perspectives in a way that feels both playful and precise, inviting readers to question what they think they know about memory, truth, and happiness. The book’s compact length is a deliberate invitation to reread, uncovering new layers with each pass. The translation preserves Kundera’s distinctive cadence and witty edge, delivering a reading experience that is at once entertaining and profoundly thought-provoking. It’s a perfect entry point for new readers and a satisfying, compact re-test for longtime fans exploring Kundera’s broader body of work.
Who This Book Is Perfect For:
This is ideal for adults and older teens who love literary fiction with philosophical bite, fans of postmodern storytelling, and readers interested in character-driven satire. It’s a superb pick for book clubs seeking lively discussion about memory, desire, and social mores, as well as a thoughtful gift for collectors of modern classics. Perfect for anyone seeking a quick, immersive journey into a world where comedy doubles as a meditation on human vulnerability. Readers who enjoyed Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being or who appreciate tightly plotted, morally nuanced fiction will find much to value here.
Key Highlights:
- Compact, masterfully plotted novella from a renowned literary voice
- Witty, provocative tone that blends humor with philosophical depth
- Spa-town setting as a microcosm of society, desire, and memory
- Exploration of truth, memory, and the ethics of longing under pressure
- Elegant translation that preserves Kundera’s musical prose
- Standalone read with enduring resonance and potential for rereading
- Excellent gift for readers seeking thoughtful, conversation-sparking fiction
About the Author:
Milan Kundera is one of the most influential Czech writers of the late 20th century, celebrated for novels that fuse philosophical inquiry with lucid narrative flair. The Farewell Waltz, originally published in Czech in 1972, helped cement his international reputation, earning the Mondello Prize in 1979. Kundera’s work—most famously The Unbearable Lightness of Being—consistently probes memory, identity, and the ambiguities of modern life, guided by a sharp irony and a human-centered compassion. His storytelling invites readers to ponder how individuals navigate desire, politics, and the weight of history, all while delivering captivating plots and enduring ideas.
Why You’ll Love This Book:
This edition brings Kundera’s brisk, theatrical storytelling to modern readers, with a translation that preserves the novel’s sly humor and philosophical bite. The single-volume format makes it a perfect standalone purchase or gateway into Kundera’s broader canon, while offering a dense, rewarding reading experience that rewards careful attention and multiple reads. Whether you’re shopping for a thoughtful gift, building a personal collection of modern classics, or searching for a concise work that still offers rich themes for discussion, Farewell Waltz delivers strong reading pleasure and lasting value.
Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.
