Facts

1. Early Life and Education: Milan Kundera was born on April 1, 1929, in Brno, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). He grew up in a family with artistic and intellectual interests, and studied music and literature at Charles University in Prague, where he later worked as a lecturer.
2. Exile: Kundera's life took a significant turn due to his opposition to the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. In 1975, he was stripped of his Czechoslovak citizenship, which led to his exile in France. He became a naturalized French citizen in 1981.

Writing Style:

1. Philosophical and Intellectual Themes: Kundera's works are characterized by their exploration of complex philosophical and intellectual themes. He often delves into the nature of identity, memory, love, and political ideologies, and his works have had a significant impact in the realm of postmodern and existential fiction.
2. The Interplay of Lightness and Weight in Life: This is probably what he's most known for, thanks to his book The Unbearable Lightness of Being.
3. Narrative Structure: Kundera was known for his innovative narrative techniques, as he frequently employed non-linear storytelling and switched between multiple perspectives/time periods. This allowed him to explore the subjectivity of human experiences and the fluidity of memory in a very subtle yet impactful manner.
4. Wit and Irony: His writing is marked by a dry and often ironic sense of humor; Kundera uses humor to comment on the human condition and the absurdities of life, often verging on being satirical.
5. Political Critique: Kundera's early works, such as "The Joke" (1967), were critical of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. While his later works are less explicitly political, they often touch on the broader themes of totalitarianism and power.

Notable Books:

1. "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" (1984): One of Kundera's most famous works, The Unbearable Lightness of Being explores the lives of four characters in Prague during the 1968 Prague Spring and the subsequent Soviet invasion. The book delves into the concept of "lightness" and "weight" in human existence, and how different components of our social/political lives can affect the course of our destiny.
2. "The Book of Laughter and Forgetting" (1979): This novel blends fiction, autobiography, and political commentary to examine the ways in which personal and collective memories are manipulated and repressed. It critiques the political regime of Czechoslovakia, which was why Kundera had to flee his country of origin in the first place.
3. "The Joke" (1967): Kundera's debut novel, "The Joke," is a satirical critique of totalitarianism. It tells the story of a man who is expelled from the Communist Party for a joke he makes in a postcard.
4. "Identity" (1998): In this novel, Kundera explores the theme of personal and cultural identity. The story follows a man who becomes obsessed with the idea of his own identity, leading to existential musings.
5. "Ignorance" (2000): This novel reflects on themes of exile, displacement, and identity. It tells the story of two Czech émigrés who return to Prague after the fall of communism.

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Where to start?

Start with the easy stuff:  read The Unbearable Lightness of Being first, then watch the movie (which is amazing and Daniel Day Lewis is in it!!!!) and then pick up The Joke, and then if you'd like something even lighter, he has a book called The Art of the Novel which talks about the craft itself while also shedding light on his past works.

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