In this masterful collection of essays, Milan Kundera delves into the very soul of the European novel. Through nine distinct parts, he passionately defends the novel as a unique art form, exploring its history from Rabelais to Kafka. Kundera examines the 'betrayals' committed against great works by poor translations, reductive criticism, and modern adaptations, while also drawing fascinating parallels with the world of music, particularly the compositions of Stravinsky. It's a profound meditation on artistic legacy and the sacred trust between an author and their work.