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The Lost Pages
A stunning novel of friendship, fraud and betrayal within a compelling literary rivalry.
It is 1908, and Max Brod is the rising star of Prague’s literary world. Everything he desires—fame, respect, love—is finally within his reach. But when a rival appears on the scene, Max discovers how quickly he can lose everything he has worked so hard to attain. He knows that the newcomer, Franz Kafka, has the power to eclipse him for good, and he must decide to what lengths he will go to hold onto his success. But there is more to Franz than meets the eye, and Max, too, has secrets that are darker than even he knows, secrets that may in the end destroy both of them.
The Lost Pages is a richly reimagined story of Max Brod’s life filtered through his relationship with Franz Kafka. In this inspired novel of friendship, fraud, madness and betrayal, Marija Peričić writes vividly and compellingly of an extraordinary literary rivalry.
"To frame The Lost Pages as being about Brod is clever and interesting. The Kafka we meet here is almost the opposite of the one we have come to expect." - Stephen Romei, Literary Editor, The Australian
"…the author really understands how tension works. It never lets up. From the very beginning, the strain between Kafka and Brod is hugely entertaining. Brod is anti-social and prefers his own company, just like the best of Kafka’s characters." - Rohan Wilson
It is 1908, and Max Brod is the rising star of Prague’s literary world. Everything he desires—fame, respect, love—is finally within his reach. But when a rival appears on the scene, Max discovers how quickly he can lose everything he has worked so hard to attain. He knows that the newcomer, Franz Kafka, has the power to eclipse him for good, and he must decide to what lengths he will go to hold onto his success. But there is more to Franz than meets the eye, and Max, too, has secrets that are darker than even he knows, secrets that may in the end destroy both of them.
The Lost Pages is a richly reimagined story of Max Brod’s life filtered through his relationship with Franz Kafka. In this inspired novel of friendship, fraud, madness and betrayal, Marija Peričić writes vividly and compellingly of an extraordinary literary rivalry.
"To frame The Lost Pages as being about Brod is clever and interesting. The Kafka we meet here is almost the opposite of the one we have come to expect." - Stephen Romei, Literary Editor, The Australian
"…the author really understands how tension works. It never lets up. From the very beginning, the strain between Kafka and Brod is hugely entertaining. Brod is anti-social and prefers his own company, just like the best of Kafka’s characters." - Rohan Wilson
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 19, 2017
Marija Peričić has given us a novel about Kafka and his long time publisher Max Brod worthy of Kafka. It's nail biting, mysterious, annoying, and ultimately an amazing construction.
She doesn't fall for the weedy little caricature that is still perpetuated by Wikipedia and almost everyone else that for example Kafka was unknown and unpublished until after his death. His best know story, The Metamorphosis; featured strongly in this novel was published in 1915 and Kafka died in 1924. But after avoiding this almost universal myth Marija weaves her own myth with her version of Amadeus with Max Brod as Salieri to Kafka's Mozart.
"Just what is your relationship to to Franz? Theodore asked. I was stunned and did not know how to answer. To say that he is my rival and I was to destroy him, was not a possible response, although it would have been an honest one."
Brod's animosity toward Kafka is no more historical than Salieri's to Mozart but while I fumed as I delighted in the story, I'm pleased to say that the ending rewarded me in ways I could not have imagined when I started it.
Read this book for sheer entertainment. If you want to know more about the real Kafka I can heartily recommend "Why You Should Read Kafka Before You Waste Your Life" by James Hawes who explodes every common myth about Kafka.
She doesn't fall for the weedy little caricature that is still perpetuated by Wikipedia and almost everyone else that for example Kafka was unknown and unpublished until after his death. His best know story, The Metamorphosis; featured strongly in this novel was published in 1915 and Kafka died in 1924. But after avoiding this almost universal myth Marija weaves her own myth with her version of Amadeus with Max Brod as Salieri to Kafka's Mozart.
"Just what is your relationship to to Franz? Theodore asked. I was stunned and did not know how to answer. To say that he is my rival and I was to destroy him, was not a possible response, although it would have been an honest one."
Brod's animosity toward Kafka is no more historical than Salieri's to Mozart but while I fumed as I delighted in the story, I'm pleased to say that the ending rewarded me in ways I could not have imagined when I started it.
Read this book for sheer entertainment. If you want to know more about the real Kafka I can heartily recommend "Why You Should Read Kafka Before You Waste Your Life" by James Hawes who explodes every common myth about Kafka.
December 17, 2020
While I do enjoy the sense of belonging that comes with reading novels that feature Australian life, I like the direction the Vogel Prize seems to have taken over the last year or so. Last year we had The Memory Artist by Katherine Brabon (see my review) and this year ventures into the wider world too with the award going to Marija Peričić’s novel The Lost Pages. Set in 1908 in what is now the Czech Republic, it’s a brave reimagining of the relationship between Franz Kafka and his literary editor Max Brod, and it develops an unstoppable momentum as the pages fly by towards an ending that I definitely did not foresee.
Readers do not need to know anything at all about Kafka or his works. To the contrary, I would beseech them not to find out more about Brod and Kafka before reading the book. That’s because this novel is primarily a novel about a very strange relationship, exploring both the nature of literary celebrity as it was in the early 20th century in Europe, and also the psychological trauma of an intense but one-side rivalry between two notable authors. Read it on its own terms without going on a fact-hunt.
Jealousy and obsession are the twin themes of The Lost Pages as Brod the successful writer becomes aware of the exciting young author Kafka. The novel is framed as a memoir which purports to be from the (real-life) hoard of papers that Brod, after Kafka’s death, refused to consign to the flames as instructed. This conceit of the fictional memoir is buttressed by the structure: the novel is bookended by a foreword purporting to be from a scholar excited about the long-desired release of the papers, and an editor’s afterword. Scattered throughout the text there are duplicitous footnotes about the often deplorable condition of these papers.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2017/05/25/t...
Readers do not need to know anything at all about Kafka or his works. To the contrary, I would beseech them not to find out more about Brod and Kafka before reading the book. That’s because this novel is primarily a novel about a very strange relationship, exploring both the nature of literary celebrity as it was in the early 20th century in Europe, and also the psychological trauma of an intense but one-side rivalry between two notable authors. Read it on its own terms without going on a fact-hunt.
Jealousy and obsession are the twin themes of The Lost Pages as Brod the successful writer becomes aware of the exciting young author Kafka. The novel is framed as a memoir which purports to be from the (real-life) hoard of papers that Brod, after Kafka’s death, refused to consign to the flames as instructed. This conceit of the fictional memoir is buttressed by the structure: the novel is bookended by a foreword purporting to be from a scholar excited about the long-desired release of the papers, and an editor’s afterword. Scattered throughout the text there are duplicitous footnotes about the often deplorable condition of these papers.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2017/05/25/t...
May 15, 2017
Wow, can Marija Pericic write! From the very beginning, I was drawn to the vulnerability and fragility of her protagonist, the anguish of an artist who never feels good enough, who is eaten up by his own insecurities, and whose low self opinion is sorrowful enough that we forgive him the gravest of errors against others. I loved the twist in the story, certainly I didn't see it coming, which is rare! With original descriptions and a delicate, mature voice, I highly recommend this book, especially to lovers to literature! A worthy winner of the Vogel Prize ... the quality of work by emerging Australian writers just stepped up a notch. Brilliant stuff!!
December 12, 2017
An alternate view of the relationship between Max Brod and Franz Kafta. Instead of the usual depiction of two buddies, Brod is depicted as being jealous and hateful of Kafta. Brod plots and schemes to destroy Kafka's career but instead seems to just keep opening doors for his nemesis. I enjoyed Brod's fuming that Gregor from "The Metamorphosis" was modelled on him - he suffered from a curvature of the spine.
It's an interesting take, well written and flows along. While it is tempting to try to compare the traditional events of Kafka/Brod with this fictional view, Pericic's book stands alone.
It's an interesting take, well written and flows along. While it is tempting to try to compare the traditional events of Kafka/Brod with this fictional view, Pericic's book stands alone.
April 27, 2019
I see what you’ve done here Ms P, very Kafkaesk.
Very clever. No administration errors here;
Vogel Award well deserved.
Very clever. No administration errors here;
Vogel Award well deserved.
October 19, 2017
The year is 1908 in the city of Prague. You’ve written your first book. Everyone wants to be near you, touch you and hear what you, the learned writer has to say. Maybe you do have something worthwhile to impart, your literary opinion is in demand and many would-be authors vie for your attention. Your confidence grows as your fame increases, until a handsome, brilliant stranger befriends you, rivalling your talent and self-assurance. That’s when doubt begins to creep in.
Winner of The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award 2017, the debut novel of Melbourne author Marija Peričić is an intriguing interpretation of the relationship of Max Brod and Franz Kafka. The Lost Pages traces the strange and often fractious relationship between mentor (Max Brod) and protégé (Franz Kafka), where love, rivalry, jealousy and paranoia spiral into madness.
The Lost Pages is a fictional memoir written by Max Brod and imagined to have come from a collection of Kafka manuscripts that were recently discovered in Tel Aviv. An article in the New York Times by Elif Batuman called ‘Kafka’s Last Trial,’ follows the court proceedings of unpublished manuscripts and papers of Franz Kafka. This article prompted Marija Peričić to research the lives of Brod and Kafka, making the discovery that the public perception of them was, in fact, quite different to the reality.
Having little or no knowledge of Brod and Kafka, I read The Lost Pages with fresh eyes and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Marija Peričić lures us down the winding cobble-stoned alleys of early twentieth-century Bohemia, into the artistic world of the literati. We are drawn into Brod and Kafka’s Prague through vivid descriptions and attention to detail. We can feel Brod’s anguish as he struggles with physical and psychological torment and his admiration of the brilliance and eccentricities of Kafka.
Marija Peričić’s The Lost Pages has an air of authenticity, exploring and exposing human frailty and deep desire, making it a compelling read.
Winner of The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award 2017, the debut novel of Melbourne author Marija Peričić is an intriguing interpretation of the relationship of Max Brod and Franz Kafka. The Lost Pages traces the strange and often fractious relationship between mentor (Max Brod) and protégé (Franz Kafka), where love, rivalry, jealousy and paranoia spiral into madness.
The Lost Pages is a fictional memoir written by Max Brod and imagined to have come from a collection of Kafka manuscripts that were recently discovered in Tel Aviv. An article in the New York Times by Elif Batuman called ‘Kafka’s Last Trial,’ follows the court proceedings of unpublished manuscripts and papers of Franz Kafka. This article prompted Marija Peričić to research the lives of Brod and Kafka, making the discovery that the public perception of them was, in fact, quite different to the reality.
Having little or no knowledge of Brod and Kafka, I read The Lost Pages with fresh eyes and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Marija Peričić lures us down the winding cobble-stoned alleys of early twentieth-century Bohemia, into the artistic world of the literati. We are drawn into Brod and Kafka’s Prague through vivid descriptions and attention to detail. We can feel Brod’s anguish as he struggles with physical and psychological torment and his admiration of the brilliance and eccentricities of Kafka.
Marija Peričić’s The Lost Pages has an air of authenticity, exploring and exposing human frailty and deep desire, making it a compelling read.
May 25, 2017
Her style of writing is engaging and intriguing. I remained spellbound throughout, transported to her experience of Prague, engulfed in each scene with all of the characters involved.
October 9, 2017
I went into The Lost Pages knowing little about Franz Kafka and even less about Max Brod. All I knew was that this was an award winning novel and shortlisted for another (the Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction). Then I opened it and was it had footnotes – swoon! Somehow my mind linked this to S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst. The Lost Pages doesn’t have handwritten notes over the pages, but it has that sense of mystery and of a narrator on the edge.
The premise of the book is that a number of Max Brod’s papers have been found and scholars are piecing together his relationship with the much more famous Franz Kafka. This is his story of meeting Kafka for the first time and his increasing insecurity over Kafka’s writings. As the story opens, Brod is The Star of Prague’s literary world. He has one groupie (Uta) who follows him everywhere, but his sights are set on a more beautiful and mysterious woman. In 1908, his star is rising and women don’t seem to care that he’s not a perfect physical specimen. Enter Kafka. He’s someone who dares to doubt Brod, questioning his theory and what’s worse, one-upping him in talent. Brod is determined that Kafka shall never meet his publisher, nor should his works see the light of day. Kafka is about to steal everything Max desires – the fame, talent and woman. Max’s attempts to hide Kafka away from the word become increasingly harebrained until something snaps…
You may get more out of this story if you are knowledgeable about Kafka and Brod, but if you’re like me and know next to nothing about the pair, you will enjoy this story of desperate jealousy. Peričić weaves a deep, emotional tale that you can’t help but get tangled up in. The story has traits that everyone can relate to – that feeling of not being good enough to keep up with the next person, self-criticism and despair. Despite the strong feelings, it’s not a gloomy story. Rather it’s a tale of descent into madness, dramatic yet fragile. The emotion that comes from the pages is incredibly strong, as is the writing. I must admit to approaching this story initially with a bit of dread, not knowing how I would relate to this story. But don’t fear – Peričić’s writing is engaging and warm. Her creation of Max Brod’s mind is honest and bald – how could you not fall in love with someone so fragile and broken?
Kafka remains a shadowy enigma when told from Max’s point of view. To Max, Kafka is The Man. He has it all – wit, talent, beauty, the ability to entrance any woman and his own set of groupies. Kafka can do no wrong to the rest of the world. I loved this portrayal, it fit with what I thought I knew about him. The contrast between the two men is just perfect. As is the ending, which is wonderfully chaotic until it falls into place and I had an ‘aha!’ moment. So do give The Lost Pages a go – it’s a fantastic story, cleverly researched and masterfully told.
Thank you to Readings and Allen & Unwin for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
The premise of the book is that a number of Max Brod’s papers have been found and scholars are piecing together his relationship with the much more famous Franz Kafka. This is his story of meeting Kafka for the first time and his increasing insecurity over Kafka’s writings. As the story opens, Brod is The Star of Prague’s literary world. He has one groupie (Uta) who follows him everywhere, but his sights are set on a more beautiful and mysterious woman. In 1908, his star is rising and women don’t seem to care that he’s not a perfect physical specimen. Enter Kafka. He’s someone who dares to doubt Brod, questioning his theory and what’s worse, one-upping him in talent. Brod is determined that Kafka shall never meet his publisher, nor should his works see the light of day. Kafka is about to steal everything Max desires – the fame, talent and woman. Max’s attempts to hide Kafka away from the word become increasingly harebrained until something snaps…
You may get more out of this story if you are knowledgeable about Kafka and Brod, but if you’re like me and know next to nothing about the pair, you will enjoy this story of desperate jealousy. Peričić weaves a deep, emotional tale that you can’t help but get tangled up in. The story has traits that everyone can relate to – that feeling of not being good enough to keep up with the next person, self-criticism and despair. Despite the strong feelings, it’s not a gloomy story. Rather it’s a tale of descent into madness, dramatic yet fragile. The emotion that comes from the pages is incredibly strong, as is the writing. I must admit to approaching this story initially with a bit of dread, not knowing how I would relate to this story. But don’t fear – Peričić’s writing is engaging and warm. Her creation of Max Brod’s mind is honest and bald – how could you not fall in love with someone so fragile and broken?
Kafka remains a shadowy enigma when told from Max’s point of view. To Max, Kafka is The Man. He has it all – wit, talent, beauty, the ability to entrance any woman and his own set of groupies. Kafka can do no wrong to the rest of the world. I loved this portrayal, it fit with what I thought I knew about him. The contrast between the two men is just perfect. As is the ending, which is wonderfully chaotic until it falls into place and I had an ‘aha!’ moment. So do give The Lost Pages a go – it’s a fantastic story, cleverly researched and masterfully told.
Thank you to Readings and Allen & Unwin for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
July 18, 2022
An interesting, clever, engaging historical fiction novel about two real persons, Max Brod and Franz Kafka. The first person narrative is by Max Brod. Max is a plodding hunchback who is extremely self loathing and has an intense jealousy of Kafka. Max in 1908 is the star of Prague’s literary world. Then Kafka arrives and lets Max read his stories. Max realises immediately that Kafka is a writer of genius, superior to Max’s writing. Max becomes sick, fragile, broken and delusional.
I found the novel a compelling and very worthwhile reading experience.
The author won the 2017 Australian Vogel Literary award for best first novel.
I found the novel a compelling and very worthwhile reading experience.
The author won the 2017 Australian Vogel Literary award for best first novel.
July 24, 2017
With deceptively simple writing, Peričić unravels a complex, blurred tale of the relationship between Max Brod and Franz Kafka, entwining elements of Kafka's style as the plot heads towards its crescendo. A clever weaving of fact and fiction, I was left wishing for an Author's Note to disentangle the threads. Powerful and compelling, this is easy to read and hard to forget.
May 23, 2017
This new author creates her own myth of Kafka in an enthralling way that keeps the reader engaged till the enlightening yet sad end.
October 19, 2017
As other reviewers have commented, this book is very well-written at a sentence level. The author demonstrates a wonderful skill with language, and I really like that she has experimented with form and has chosen an unconventional way to tell this story.
However for this reader, who knew nothing at all about Kafka before reading this book, I was at sea for a large part of the story. It says a great deal about Pericic's writing skills that I still read through to the end - I have too many books in my to-read pile to read any book beyond the boredom/frustration threshold. But I kept waiting for the book to improve ... and it did, not far from the end, although unfortunately too late to make up for the wallowing middle section for me. I would have benefited from knowing just a hint of the ending earlier so I understood the characters and could judge them in light of what was actually going on. As it was, I just ended up finding Brod highly frustrating and in need of a good slap.
I won my copy from the publisher - thanks!
However for this reader, who knew nothing at all about Kafka before reading this book, I was at sea for a large part of the story. It says a great deal about Pericic's writing skills that I still read through to the end - I have too many books in my to-read pile to read any book beyond the boredom/frustration threshold. But I kept waiting for the book to improve ... and it did, not far from the end, although unfortunately too late to make up for the wallowing middle section for me. I would have benefited from knowing just a hint of the ending earlier so I understood the characters and could judge them in light of what was actually going on. As it was, I just ended up finding Brod highly frustrating and in need of a good slap.
I won my copy from the publisher - thanks!
August 7, 2017
Thank you Allen & Unwin for the Goodreads copy of The Lost Pages.
A story formatted as a fictionalised journal of Max Brod. Interesting concept with an equally interesting ending. I wouldn't say it was gripping as throughout the book I was getting frustrated by the to-ing and fro-ing of Max's internal debate. But then again, this style is necessary to form a picture of a man unsure of himself and within the grips of mental illness.
A story formatted as a fictionalised journal of Max Brod. Interesting concept with an equally interesting ending. I wouldn't say it was gripping as throughout the book I was getting frustrated by the to-ing and fro-ing of Max's internal debate. But then again, this style is necessary to form a picture of a man unsure of himself and within the grips of mental illness.
August 4, 2017
Wow, I didn't know what to expect, and only know of Kafka by historical reference, but this insight into his work was unexpectedly unputdownable. Part non-fiction, part psychological thriller this is a richly crafted literary work. A brilliant first novel by Pericic. I look forward to her next book!
August 7, 2017
A meta-fictional reimagining of the Max Brod/Franz Kafka relationship that struggles under the weight of its own conceit before just about redeeming itself with an unexpected resolution. I got pretty impatient with this at times - it felt like it could have been a hugely satisfying novella, but it dragged a bit at full novel length. It's smart - well researched and cleverly constructed - but not as engaging as I was hoping (at least until the last 30 pages).
May 28, 2025
this was very well written and so highly enjoyable from that aspect
but on the other hand the story was just stressful, very much a psychological thriller in a way, and felt a bit repetitive at times
but on the other hand the story was just stressful, very much a psychological thriller in a way, and felt a bit repetitive at times
June 21, 2019
Whilst I finished it my interest dropped in the second half.
October 14, 2017
Very well-written. This writer has such a superb command of language, and her metaphors are exceptional. Definitely great literature.
September 11, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. Great writing and characters
September 6, 2017
The writing in this book was really good and enjoyable and very well layered. I feel like you really get to the heart of Max Brod and his tortured relationship with Franz Kafka.
October 27, 2017
Exquisitely written. Devoured every word. Can't wait to see what this author crafts for us next.
January 19, 2019
Interesting book with a twist at the end but difficult to read about Brod’s anxiety and torture within himself.
January 12, 2018
Marija Pericic won the Vogel Prize for this stunning debut novel set in Prague in 1908. Pericic reimagines the relationship between literary giants, Max Brod and Franz Kafka.
Knowing little about either novelist, I was quickly drawn into the story full of anguish, tension and human fragility. The author has veered away from the known story that Brod was asked by his friend Kafka, on his death bed to destroy all of his unpublished work. Instead Brod publishes it making sure that posthumously, Kafka is revered and honoured into the future.
What happens though, if history is rewritten? What if Brod, a tortured man with physical disabilities is filled with self-doubt and actually loathes Kafka as his rival? What if Brod falls in love with a girl who loves Kafka? It makes for a compelling read. Does it matter that the work is fiction? It’s an interesting take on historical figures. Events are true but the rest is not.
The writing and development of characters was exquisite as we are taken into Brod’s point of view. His disability is a key theme “The tongues of those who inhabited my world were silent, but their eyes were not. Their eyes spoke, that sea of eyes through which I moved each day. They glanced and looked in secret and averted their gazes, and this looking and not-looking spoke louder than any voice of disgust, curiosity or, worst of all, pity.”
Life in Prague in the early 1900’s is rich with description and mood which changes with the deterioration of Brod’s mind. The twist at the end caught me by surprise leaving me yearning for more.
Knowing little about either novelist, I was quickly drawn into the story full of anguish, tension and human fragility. The author has veered away from the known story that Brod was asked by his friend Kafka, on his death bed to destroy all of his unpublished work. Instead Brod publishes it making sure that posthumously, Kafka is revered and honoured into the future.
What happens though, if history is rewritten? What if Brod, a tortured man with physical disabilities is filled with self-doubt and actually loathes Kafka as his rival? What if Brod falls in love with a girl who loves Kafka? It makes for a compelling read. Does it matter that the work is fiction? It’s an interesting take on historical figures. Events are true but the rest is not.
The writing and development of characters was exquisite as we are taken into Brod’s point of view. His disability is a key theme “The tongues of those who inhabited my world were silent, but their eyes were not. Their eyes spoke, that sea of eyes through which I moved each day. They glanced and looked in secret and averted their gazes, and this looking and not-looking spoke louder than any voice of disgust, curiosity or, worst of all, pity.”
Life in Prague in the early 1900’s is rich with description and mood which changes with the deterioration of Brod’s mind. The twist at the end caught me by surprise leaving me yearning for more.
January 22, 2018
This book is easy to read, short and sweet with a strong plot and plenty of hooks that kept me going. I finished the book within a day.
I am particularly impressed by Peričić's description of the thoughts and actions of a jealousy. It is brutally frank and must be relatable for anyone who has ever been envious of their peers. The obsessive thoughts of the protagonists are also powerful and convincing.
The concept of the book is courageous and imaginative but in some ways the bravery of the author may well be her downfall. Peričić uses two notable individuals and modifies their history in an artistic manner, giving her novel an interesting dimension. Should her two main characters be entirely fictitious with no links to Max Brod or Franz Kafka, the idea of this book would be unoriginal at best. Thus the creativity of The Lost Pages relies heavily on the manner in which Peričić interpreted and altered history.
Personally, I am very uncomfortable in her choice in modifying the integrity of Max Brod. Whilst I am not acquainted and can never befriend Brod, from all documented facts he seems to be a man who had made significant contributions to the literary world. Furthermore, he was a Jewish Czech born with a physical defect that must have made him suffered his whole life and he survived an era when his race endured so much hardship. It is difficult to justify a decision by the author to further demonise his personality simply to fuel the marketability of this novel.
I am particularly impressed by Peričić's description of the thoughts and actions of a jealousy. It is brutally frank and must be relatable for anyone who has ever been envious of their peers. The obsessive thoughts of the protagonists are also powerful and convincing.
The concept of the book is courageous and imaginative but in some ways the bravery of the author may well be her downfall. Peričić uses two notable individuals and modifies their history in an artistic manner, giving her novel an interesting dimension. Should her two main characters be entirely fictitious with no links to Max Brod or Franz Kafka, the idea of this book would be unoriginal at best. Thus the creativity of The Lost Pages relies heavily on the manner in which Peričić interpreted and altered history.
Personally, I am very uncomfortable in her choice in modifying the integrity of Max Brod. Whilst I am not acquainted and can never befriend Brod, from all documented facts he seems to be a man who had made significant contributions to the literary world. Furthermore, he was a Jewish Czech born with a physical defect that must have made him suffered his whole life and he survived an era when his race endured so much hardship. It is difficult to justify a decision by the author to further demonise his personality simply to fuel the marketability of this novel.
September 6, 2017
There is some excellent writing at sentence level in this playful, meta-fictional retelling of Franz Kafka's career through the eyes of an arch-rival, Max Brod, as well as evidence of passionate research into the milieu of Prague. The framing of the story as a partially restored archival document (with passages obscured and interpolations offered in footnotes) was clever and persuasive. The characterisation of Brod as an admired but anguished writer threatened with being eclipsed by a younger celebrity (reminiscent of a Salieri-Mozart cultural shift and battle to the death) was largely convincing.
But overall I was disappointed that the rivalry between Brod and Kafka was painted in such broad strokes and devolved into a romantic triangle which barely rose above the level of cliche. I think was hoping for a far more nuanced story which may have provided some sense of the literary scene in Europe at the time and featured the role of the publisher, critics and writers more prominently. Not historical fiction exactly but more a novel of ideas about art and writing.
I'm afraid the twist came as no surprise to me and, to be honest, when it came provided no great insights into the nature of tortured genius or the profound doubts and anxieties suffered by writers. All in all, a clever and well-written book of daring imagination that did not fully live up to its premise (or promise) for this reader.
But overall I was disappointed that the rivalry between Brod and Kafka was painted in such broad strokes and devolved into a romantic triangle which barely rose above the level of cliche. I think was hoping for a far more nuanced story which may have provided some sense of the literary scene in Europe at the time and featured the role of the publisher, critics and writers more prominently. Not historical fiction exactly but more a novel of ideas about art and writing.
I'm afraid the twist came as no surprise to me and, to be honest, when it came provided no great insights into the nature of tortured genius or the profound doubts and anxieties suffered by writers. All in all, a clever and well-written book of daring imagination that did not fully live up to its premise (or promise) for this reader.
September 11, 2017
2 1/2 stars
Pericic has written a fanciful book about the relationship between two Czech writers, Max Brod and Franz Kafka. Max Brod who, despite his own published works, was more famous because of his friendship and biography of Franz Kafka. In The Lost Pages the author creates a possible account of the beginnings of their relationship from Brod’s point of view, through the papers and documents that she has been able to access.
Brod who is already famous is approached by the unpublished Kafka for an opinion about his work, which is surprisingly good. Kafka, however, is elusive but appears extremely confident, he is a prolific writer and distributes many copies of his compositions amongst the friends and writing acquaintances of Brod. Brod meanwhile is suffering from ‘writer’s block’ and as his confidence wanes he appears to suffer from depression and strange imaginations.
The book is interesting as a literary exercise but I found it rather tedious. The personalities she creates are unlikeable and contrary. Kafka is portrayed as a selfish almost mean person, Brod as a physically abnormal person with mental health issues, Uta a inexplicable sycophant and Anja as a vapid woman who blinds Brod with her beauty. There is a twist at the end but still I was left wondering why bother? Unfortunately this book was not for me.
Pericic has written a fanciful book about the relationship between two Czech writers, Max Brod and Franz Kafka. Max Brod who, despite his own published works, was more famous because of his friendship and biography of Franz Kafka. In The Lost Pages the author creates a possible account of the beginnings of their relationship from Brod’s point of view, through the papers and documents that she has been able to access.
Brod who is already famous is approached by the unpublished Kafka for an opinion about his work, which is surprisingly good. Kafka, however, is elusive but appears extremely confident, he is a prolific writer and distributes many copies of his compositions amongst the friends and writing acquaintances of Brod. Brod meanwhile is suffering from ‘writer’s block’ and as his confidence wanes he appears to suffer from depression and strange imaginations.
The book is interesting as a literary exercise but I found it rather tedious. The personalities she creates are unlikeable and contrary. Kafka is portrayed as a selfish almost mean person, Brod as a physically abnormal person with mental health issues, Uta a inexplicable sycophant and Anja as a vapid woman who blinds Brod with her beauty. There is a twist at the end but still I was left wondering why bother? Unfortunately this book was not for me.
September 21, 2017
I received this book as a goodreads give away.
I have to say that I struggled with most of this book. I found the constant exploration of Max's inner turmoil really frustrating. Also the relationship between Max and Franz was such a departure from what the accepted story was, I found myself wondering what was going on. It was such a had slog that I had it as only a 1-2 star book until the last couple of chapters.
Then the last few chapters really rescued it. It had such a plot twist that was totally unexpected. I think if I had not been so frustrated with Max for the first 3/4 of the book I probably would have given it a higher rating.
I have to say that I struggled with most of this book. I found the constant exploration of Max's inner turmoil really frustrating. Also the relationship between Max and Franz was such a departure from what the accepted story was, I found myself wondering what was going on. It was such a had slog that I had it as only a 1-2 star book until the last couple of chapters.
Then the last few chapters really rescued it. It had such a plot twist that was totally unexpected. I think if I had not been so frustrated with Max for the first 3/4 of the book I probably would have given it a higher rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2017
It took me quite a while to get into this book, though it was easy reading. At the outset I struggled to see where the story was going and what its goal was, and found the format - styled as recovered pages of Brod's notes - grating and quite unnecessary. As it progressed, however, I found myself getting caught up in the increasingly pervasive sense of tension and anticipation. Though I predicted the ending, it was still an eventful and intriguing adventure and a very enjoyable read, one which has given me cause to contemplate Kafka himself further.
January 19, 2021
I had to keep reminding myself that this was not the real story of Max Brod and Franz Kafka, given the very clever ruse of the ‘Kafka Papers’. Highly original, at times entertaining and amusing, I found it also to be quite infuriating- at least the character of Brod and all his insecurities. I think it would have benefited from being a little tighter, a little shorter. The final chapter though, made it all worthwhile, providing a fabulous twist that exposed some of the annoyances as integral to the plot. Worth reading - but definitely not for everyone!
March 29, 2019
Wow, what a read. It is an excellent fusion of that really clever kid's paper in your 3rd year English Lit class and M. Night Shyamalan. It does drag in the middle but it made up for in the end. I don't agree with the criticism about using real lives as literary devices. Kafka is already a mythic unknown so why not play with it. Like any reinterpretation it is good to know the source material, so knowin a little about these two at the outset would be nice. I really liked this book.
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