Loves of Franz Kafka

by Nahum N. Glatzer

Uses passages from Franz Kafka's diaries and letters to illustrate his relationship to the women in his life

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

100 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 1985

About the author

Nahum Norbert Glatzer was a noted Jewish literary scholar, theologian, and editor.

He was the editor of Judaism: A Quarterly Journal of Jewish Life and Thought, and a consulting editor of Schocken Books, an American publishing house where he was responsible, in part, for the publication of Franz Kafka’s writings in English translation. He also participated in editorial conferences in Germany on critical editions of Kafka's works.

He is known for his Geschichte der talmudischen Zeit (Berlin, Schocken-Verlag, 1937; 2nd ed., Neukirchen-Vluyn, Neukirchener Verlag, 1981); for seminal anthologies of Jewish sources in English translation; for his study of The Loves of Franz Kafka (New York, Schocken Books, 1986; published in a German translation by Otto Bayer as Frauen in Kafkas Leben (Zurich, Diogenes, 1987)); and for his influential biography of Franz Rosenzweig, Franz Rosenzweig: His Life and Thought (New York: Schocken Books, 1953).

Reviews

[Tova T]

An intimate glimpse of a now-historical figure. The letters are touching and captivating. You can feel his loneliness and agoraphobia.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short love letter to Kafka, this book outlines his various romances through the course of his life. Using quotes from his letters this short book does a great job showcasing the man behind the stories.

[S. Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gifted to me by my most sweet sister. Bit of a quote collage, but still a respectable primer for the uninitiated on Kafka’s complicated relationship to love and his titular “loves.” The enclosed chronology is a boon.

[Tessa Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

kafka quotes are 5 stars, glatzer doesn't add anything to them but context (which i appreciate, but don't think it lived up to what could have been)

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. I felt a bit snoopy though. Even though he's Kafka it's still his personal life.