Kafka and the Doll

by Larissa Theule

Based on a true story about Franz Kafka

Inspired by a true story, Kafka and the Doll recounts a remarkable gesture of kindness from one of the world's most bewildering and iconic writers. In the fall of 1923, Franz Kafka encountered a distraught little girl on a walk in the park. She'd lost her doll and was inconsolable. Kafka told her the doll wasn't lost, but instead, traveling the world and having grand adventures! And to reassure her, Kafka began delivering letters from the doll to the girl for weeks.

The legend of Kafka and the doll has captivated imaginations for decades as it reveals the playful and compassionate side of a man known for his dark and brooding tales. Kafka and the Doll is a testament to living life to the fullest and to the life-changing power of storytelling.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Juvenile, Historical, Graphic Novels

Audible Audio

First published March 9, 2021

About the author

Larissa Theule lives with her family in Southern California.

Reviews

[Carolyn Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely and heartwarming story!

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully reconstructs the story of how Kafka wrote letters to a little girl who had lost her doll - he made it seem as if the letters were coming from the doll - we do not have the real letters as the little girl has never been identified. Wonderful art that really meshes with the story.

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'M CRYING

[Eylül Görmüş · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kafka'nın kahramanı olduğu ve gerçekliği tartışmalı bir öykünün resimli versiyonu Kafka ve Oyuncak bebek. Larissa Theule'ün hikayesini Rebecca Green şahane resimlendirmiş. Kafka'ya dair bu çok anlatılan hikayeyi zaten çok severdim, bu halini daha da çok sevdim.

Dediğim gibi gerçek olup olmadığını bilemiyoruz bu meşhur öykünün. Yazarın o dönemki sevgilisi Dora, olayın tanığı olarak anlatıyor ve ben her zaman onun tanıklığına güvenmekten, Kafka'nın parkta tanıştığı ve bebeğini kaybettiği için üzgün olan bir küçük kızla bu ilişkiyi kurduğuna inanmaktan yana oldum. Bu tatlı metni okuyunca inancım daha da kuvvetlendi.

İçim yumuşacık oldu, sizin de olsun. Çocuklarınızı Kafka diye bir amcanın varlığından haberdar etmek, akıllarında yer etmesini sağlamak ve kurmacanın sonsuz imkanlarının kudretiyle tanıştırmak için de şahane bir başlangıç olur bu kitap.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool story based on real events! Loved Green's depictions of the doll off on her adventures, and Theule used just the right amount of artistic license to bring this story to life and make it fun for children. Appreciated the notes on the true story in the back and Theule's decision to give Soupsy's adventures a different ending. Love love love the illustrations--clear lines, beautiful palette.

Would recommend this for kids who would be interested in hearing about Kafka's letters as well as younger kids who would enjoy the story of a doll off on a bunch of adventures. Could be used in classrooms as a lesson in kindness to younger children. Could also be used after a child loses a precious toy (as a fun story or as an idea generator for the parents). Would recommend for ages 5 to 10.

[Lata · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was genuinely sweet. I didn’t expect the author of Metamorphosis to have been so sweet and kind to a girl who’d lost her doll by writing the girl several letters from her doll, who Kafka posited was off having adventures.

[Maria (i Mikri Vivliofagos) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Είναι από τα καλύτερα παιδικά βιβλία που έχω διαβάσει και πλέον το κατατάσσω ανάμεσα στα πιο αγαπημένα μου! Τι να πρωτοπεί κανείς γι' αυτό το βιβλίο! Φοβερή εικονογράφηση, υπέροχη γλυκιά ιστορία και τόσο όμορφα μηνύματα! Αγάπησα την ιδέα του βιβλίου και το γεγονός ότι η συγγραφέας άλλαξε το τέλος της γνωστής ιστορίας του Κάφκα προσαρμόζοντάς το στα σημερινά δεδομένα (όσοι το διαβάσετε θα καταλάβετε τι εννοώ)
Το προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα! Διαβάστε το χθες!

[L'amante des livres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Στο σημείωμα της συγγραφέως Λαρίσα Τούλι διαβάζουμε πως το Φθινόπωρο του 1923 ο Κάφκα ζούσε στο Βερολίνο με τη Ντόρα Ντιαμάντ, την τελευταία και πιο αληθινή του αγάπη. Μια μέρα που περπατούσαν στο πάρκο συνάντησαν ένα κοριτσάκι που είχε χάσει την κούκλα του. Ο Κάφκα της είπε πως η κούκλα δεν είχε χαθεί, απλώς ταξίδευε. Για 3 εβδομάδες έγραφε γράμματα στο κορίτσι, γράμματα με αποστολέα την κούκλα. Βοήθησε έτσι το κορίτσι να ξεπεράσει την απώλεια.

Χρόνια αργότερα η Ντόρα διηγήθηκε αυτά τα γεγονότα στη βιογράφο του Κάφκα, Μάρθα Ρομπέρ. Κανείς απ' όσους έψαξαν δε κατάφερε να βρει το κορίτσι και τα γράμματα. Η ταυτότητα του κοριτσιού παραμένει άγνωστη και τα γράμματα χάθηκαν. Μόνο οι αναφορές της Ντόρα υπάρχουν.

Σύμφωνα με τη Ντόρα, ο Κάφκα στο τέλος έβαλε την κούκλα να παντρεύεται και να κάνει οικογένεια. Αυτή ήταν η καλύτερη προοπτική για ένα κορίτσι το 1920: ο γάμος. Όμως η συγγραφέας επέλεξε ένα άλλο τέλος για την κούκλα, πιο συμβατό με τη σύγχρονη εποχή όπου τα παιδιά έχουν πολύ περισσότερες επιλογές.

Ο Κάφκα πέθανε τον Ιούνιο του 1924 από φυματίωση.

Το βιβλίο αυτό είναι υπέροχο. Είναι τρυφερό, συγκινητικό, γεμάτο συναίσθημα κι αγάπη. Η εικονογράφηση της Ρεμπέκα Γκριν είναι εξίσου εκπληκτική, σε τόνους φθινοπωρινούς και μελαγχολικούς που ταιριάζουν απόλυτα στο ύφος και την ατμόσφαιρα της ιστορίας.

Εξάλλου, μία αύρα μελαγχολίας στροβιλίζεται γύρω από την εικόνα του Φραντς Κάφκα, όταν φέρω στο μυαλό μου το όνομά του. Αν υπήρχε μηχανή του χρόνου θα ήταν από τους πρώτους συγγραφείς που θα ήθελα να γνωρίσω. Τον αγαπώ και μόνο γιατί έχει γράψει τη "Μεταμόρφωση", ένα από τα αγαπημένα μου αναγνώσματα.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not previously aware of this anecdote, and it is charming and thoughtful and sweet. The art is a nice accompaniment, with the autumnal shades and unfussy style.

The author's note at the back explains a bit more and says the author changed the text of the last letter, a decision I disagree with. A hundred years on one can criticize or disagree with Kafka's choice. One can do that well enough in an author's note, or even invent a bit of dialog or inner thoughts of Irma. But one should not take a true story, present it as a true story, and then change the end. The copyright page says it is "historical fiction," the flap blurb says "inspired by a true story," but few people will read, let alone remember, those caveats.

It's a lovely book, and I am happy to learn the story, but also a little vexed. Perhaps this will spur me to read a biography.

Library copy

[Nirvana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a heartwarming story with beautiful illustrations for everyone's inner child.
Kafka,what a great kind of soul ❤️

[Jonathan Jakobitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story, a charming and beautifully illustrated story about kindness and connections

[Josephina · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️5.0 stars

[Khris Sellin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story. Franz Kafka and Dora Diamant are walking through a park in Berlin when they come across a little girl crying over her lost doll. Kafka tells her she's not lost, she's actually traveling. He begins to write letters to the little girl from the doll about her epic journey around the world. Love the illustrations too.
Another great gift from my sister Lisa!

[looneybooks79 · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://looneybooks79.blog/2024/08/08...

This little graphic novel/ children’s book came on my path due to two Booksta-friends (thank you Tina & Thomas) and because 2024 is Kafka-year plus I’ve planned on finally reading his work or books about him or things like this graphic novel based on his life or his work, I needed it badly!

During the last years Kafka was alive he lived with Dora Diamant, his last lover, in Berlin, in several locations. One of these houses was across from Stadtpark Steglitz where he often went for a walk, before he got too sick to even do walks and before he moved away again.

One day he met a little girl who was sad and crying and he asked her what was wrong, to which the little girl replied: “I lost my doll, Soupsy”. Kafka never had children of his own and was touched by her sadness, so he told her Soupsy went on a hiking trip to discover the world and that he has a letter from the doll for the girl, whose name was Irma.

And Kafka started writing letters to Irma, supposedly from Soupsy, in which he lets het have all sorts of adventures in locations all over the world: Paris, London, Egypt… Irma waited every day for Kafka to bring her a letter. But due to Kafka’s illness he had to cut the story short and write one last definitive letter to Irma in which Soupsy tells her she won’t be able to write anymore… Kafka died shortly after, leaving Irma and Dora behind.

It is this story, this true story, that was adapted in this beautifully illustrated hardcover graphic novel! The illustrations by Theule and Green are so beautiful, so honest, so uncomplicated and show us the true love Kafka had for words and for comforting a little girl who is sad for losing a doll. It definitely shows a different side from him than what he had written before. Was his approaching death making him more mellow, softer, less critical?

Let Kafka and both illustrators take you on a journey and to an undisclosed ending of where Soupsy might go…

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So smart, so lovely, so funny, tinged with a sweet sadness but also a hope!

[Jennifer Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard this story before, and always wondered if it was a true story. Well, it appears that it is. This is a charming book.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not going to lie; this one made me cry. Beautiful story.

[Perihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool story based on real events! I loved it. In my opinion, It was a very heartwarming story.

There was a bit of sweet sadness but more of hope.

The story is about Franz Kafka’s friendship with a little girl who had lost her doll.

It was so lovely to see a gentle side of Kafka. His lovely and thoughtful letters to a little girl show us how caring and kind he could be.

To me, Franz Kafka is a literary genius and has always been saddened by his tragic life and early death :(

[Gabriel Girard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a darling story. I was told by a friend she didn’t think it had child appeal, just adult appeal. I disagree. For the more thoughtful, reflective child that doesn’t need all the flashy pictures and over the top action, I think it has great appeal. But what do I know, as a adult…..

[kat ࿐ྂ ༉‧₊˚✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

literally started crying at work, i love kafka :(((

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So nice to see a gentle side to Kafka. His sweet letters to a little girl show how caring he could be.

[Jodi Geever · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did I never hear about this absolutely heartwarming story? Loved this one!

[Peg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really short story but it sure gave me a much different view of Kafka.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure which is sweeter - the book or the story behind it?
This is a gloriously rendered interpretation of when author Franz Kafka comforted a young girl who had lost her doll by writer her letters from the doll on her travels. It is sweet, genuine and perfectly formed.

[Mayar Mahdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is so sweet, it warms my heart every time I hear it.

The artwork is quite beautiful as well. I think children would love this.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this so much. It is such a sweet and moving story and how wonderful to discover it is inspired by true events. The author's note and biographical data about Kafka are great additions because my previous opinion about him was based only on one forced reading of the Metamorphosis in college and that didn't leave me with many positive feelings. It was nice to add some additional depth to his story. I briefly thought, after finishing this book, "Should I re-read the Metamorphosis?" I most probably will not do that, but I will read this again many times.

[Natalie Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not too often that I read a picture book based off an encounter between a little person and a writer—and Kafka at that.

This little story was pure bittersweetness. I had to pass it to my husband to finish because the tears came like a waterfall.

A gentle story of grief and letting go, suitable for the picture book crowd.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long loved this story of the author Kafka and a little girl who lost her doll. How lovely it is to find it so beautifully realized and extended in a picture book. Kindness, understanding, and the passage of life are somehow all conveyed in the text. Lovely illustrations by Rebecca Green.

[Pschmunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got a sneak peak at this one, and it’s amazing. Just the ray of light we need with the world around us in flames.