It describes a periods of time and place (communism) from inside which I (as a westerner) didn’t know much about. The insight on people’s nature showing all the different sides of a story makes the book extremely relevant to the present world. It is simply brilliant!
It’s Milan Kundera as it’s best
PS. I got a bit bored halfway book, until I understood why it needed to be there. Don’t give up. It IS brilliant!