"Set against the backdrop of a Central European spa town, Kundera once again orchestrates his polyphonic style to intertwine lives and stories to play out a small portion of the human condition. In what seems like an orgy of loves unfulfilled, partnership of the most unlikely kind; a nurse, her boyfriend, an American, a famous musician and his wife and a potential migr and his ward mix and mingle and form some sort of relationship soup that manages to hold together.
Despite the playful tone of the story and dialogue, "Farewell Waltz" deals with the profound issue of the fragility of life. Far be it for Kundera be labeled a symbolist, the blue pill speaks to me of how easy it is to choose the back door of living and to cash it all in for one reason or another. On one level, the accidental taking of the pill by Ruzena shows us just how easily life can be taken away. With Kundera's books you can be guaranteed that is that and much more.
The irony of Dr. Skreta lies in his bizarre power to create - a very Mary Shelley touch - of science without soul. Makes me stop to think about the true nature of my origin. Over and above all this, Kundera play on how human we are and celebrates the fragility, the emotion and the universal need for love...."
- Miguel B. Llora
Despite the playful tone of the story and dialogue, "Farewell Waltz" deals with the profound issue of the fragility of life. Far be it for Kundera be labeled a symbolist, the blue pill speaks to me of how easy it is to choose the back door of living and to cash it all in for one reason or another. On one level, the accidental taking of the pill by Ruzena shows us just how easily life can be taken away. With Kundera's books you can be guaranteed that is that and much more.
The irony of Dr. Skreta lies in his bizarre power to create - a very Mary Shelley touch - of science without soul. Makes me stop to think about the true nature of my origin. Over and above all this, Kundera play on how human we are and celebrates the fragility, the emotion and the universal need for love...."
- Miguel B. Llora
