The Festival of Insignificance (2015)
by
Milan Kundera
Book Read: 16 October 2015
Note Written: 02 November 2015
The Festival of Insignificance is my first experience of famed author Milan Kundera. The book was tiny yet great, I felt. I loved it. I read it again, some days after I read it first. While many people and online reviews say that it isn't that great or come close to his earlier works, I maintain that the book is good. When I write this online note today (08 Dec 2015 - I normally write something in my journal and later put that date when I transfer it online) I have read 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' as well, and guess what I like both.
I am glad that The Festival of Insignificance is the first book I read of the author since I could approach it objectively, without any expectations or prior notions. The language is simple, yet packed with stuff that makes you think- the wonder at the enigma of the navel, for instance. The story of the Twenty Four Patridges which comes within the book as told by one of the characters, and their reading and analysis of Stalin and his 'trusted' officials presents the era and minds of people whom we consider 'dictators' in a different light. There is no justification to their heinous acts, just that the story reminds us there is a lighter side to people whom we consider evil.
Being insignificant has its value, sometimes you fail to recognize it, but it is there and it sure has its impact on the world. This tiny book holds many characters with varying layers of thoughts and deeds and brings out the many moments of realization of the 'personal' and how each person is unique. Once again, I loved the book, looking forward to more Kundera.
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