This is the first book by Milan Kundera that I have read, and I must say that I have enjoyed it very much. It is existential in nature, as is common in this author's books, but it is also easy to assimilate since it focuses on couple conflicts that practically all of us have experienced to a lesser or greater degree.
Specifically, it focuses on communication problems between men and women, derived from our habitual nature in couple relationships. Whether these are the product of social conditioning or not is another matter. The fact is that we all experience them or know of someone who has.
The story begins when a woman goes out for a walk, and in the midst of her existential musings and insecurities, she suddenly notices that no one turns to look at her like when she was younger. Upon returning home, and seeing her expression, her partner asks her if something is wrong, and she, under pressure, tells him in a very superficial way and to get out of trouble, that it is because men no longer turn to see her, which isn't a lie, but it was just one of many things that had her in that mood.
Given her lack of interest in continuing to talk about the subject, and getting into the shower, her partner is completely upset, and the next day she receives a mysterious letter from a secret admirer, who she later finds out is her partner, who did it to boost her morale.
This non-existent secret admirer becomes the bone of contention in the relationship, and leads the couple to a crisis derived from the way in which both handle the situation. Lack of communication "creates" the secret admirer, and the same lack of communication places enormous weight on the dynamics of the relationship and its future.
The non-existent secret admirer reveals insecurities and trust issues in the couple that lead to a true test, and a personal evaluation of what they mean to each other.
The outcome of the story has a surprising twist, setting foot in surrealism, but the story is very interesting and reveals how, literally, in a relationship, however stable it may be, problems can arise out of nowhere, derived from a lack of communication. with our partner.
Sadly, love is not always enough for the future of a relationship, is it? Kundera and you have the last word.
©bonzopoe, 2023.
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