89 Words followed by Prague, A Disappearing Poem

An invigorating pair of essays by Milan Kundera explores exile, language and national identity from one of Europe’s most celebrated literary voices. This collection brings together two significant works: 89 Words and Prague, A Disappearing Poem, offering rigorous reflections on what exile, living in another language, and the betrayals of translation entail. 89 Words, published in 1985, is presented here as an expanded, dictionary-like meditation linked to The Art of the Novel, while Prague, A Disappearing Poem, dating from 1980, questions the culture of the “small nation” and the attitudes of both the Soviet and Western worlds toward Czech culture. Together, the essays illuminate Kundera’s distinctive voice and provide an accessible entry point to his oeuvre, characterized by irony and subtle judgment. The edition is a hardcover publication by Faber & Faber, released on 23 October 2025, with 112 pages.

Beyond the core essays, the volume offers a concise look at themes that recur across Kundera’s work, inviting both longtime readers and newcomers to reflect on language, identity and cultural memory through a lucid, contemplative lens.

Kenmerken

• Twee essays over exil, taal en identiteit
• 89 Words uitgebreid uit The Art of the Novel
• Prague, A Disappearing Poem uit 1980
• Cultuur van het kleine land als centraal thema
• Hardcover editie, 112 pagina's
• Auteur: Milan Kundera, Faber & Faber