The Joke
by Milan Kundera
The Joke by Milan Kundera holds a well received rating of 3.99 out of 5, based on 16.5K reader ratings. First published in 1967. The book spans 371 pages.
About The Joke
All too often, this brilliant novel of thwarted love and revenge miscarried has been read for its political implications. Now though, a quarter century after The Joke was first published, and several years after the collapse of the Soviet-imposed Czechoslovak regime, it becomes easier to put such implications into perspective in favor of valuing the book (and all Kundera 's work) as what it truly is: great, stirring literature, that sheds new light on the eternal themes of human existence.The present edition provides English-language readers an important further means toward revaluation of The Joke. For reasons he describes in his Author's Note, Milan Kundera devoted much time to creating (with the assistance of his American publisher-editor) a completely revised translation that reflects his original as closely as any translation possibly can: reflects it in its fidelity not only to the words and syntax but also to the characteristic dictions and tonalities of the novel's narrators. The result is nothing less than the restoration of a classic.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Milan Kundera |
| Published | 1967 |
| Pages | 371 |
| Genres | Fiction, Classics, Fiction, Philosophy, Historical Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.99 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 16,464 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Joke?
The Joke is categorized as Fiction, Classics, Fiction, Philosophy. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is The Joke worth reading?
Based on 16.5K reader ratings, The Joke has an average score of 3.99 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is The Joke?
The Joke has 371 pages.
Who wrote The Joke?
The Joke was written by Milan Kundera. It was first published in 1967.
What is the ISBN for The Joke?
The ISBN-13 for The Joke is 9780571166930.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
