Milan Kundera is mostly known for his hit “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” (Nesnesitelná lehkost bytí, 1982-1985), but while systematizing the grammar and history for my project here in Prague I suddenly came across these two earlier ones.
The “Farewell Waltz” is so fascinating and so easily written that I decided to give it to my students without any adaptation.
“The Joke” is more sophisticated as to the plot and language, but is also worth reading and is also a must for someone who wants to know the European literature better.
English titles:
Milan Kundera
“Farewell Waltz”
“The Joke”
Original titles (Czech):
Milan Kundera
“Valčík na rozloučenou”
“Žert”
First published in the Levinarium Telegram Channel (now closed and deleted)