What do you think?
Rate this book
The Metamorphosis: Translation by David Wyllie
It is the story of a young man who, transformed overnight into a giant beetle-like insect, becomes an object of disgrace to his family, an outsider in his own home, a quintessentially alienated man. A harrowing—though absurdly comic—meditation on human feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and isolation, The Metamorphosis has taken its place as one of the most widely read and influential works of twentieth-century fiction. As W.H. Auden wrote, "Kafka is important to us because his predicament is the predicament of modern man."
93 pages, Paperback
Published August 9, 2021
17 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Franz Kafka
3,215 books38.4k followersPrague-born writer Franz Kafka wrote in German, and his stories, such as "
The Metamorphosis
" (1916), and posthumously published novels, including
The Trial
(1925), concern troubled individuals in a nightmarishly impersonal world.
Jewish middle-class family of this major fiction writer of the 20th century spoke German. People consider his unique body of much incomplete writing, mainly published posthumously, among the most influential in European literature.
His stories include "The Metamorphosis" (1912) and " In the Penal Colony " (1914), whereas his posthumous novels include The Trial (1925), The Castle (1926) and Amerika (1927).
Despite first language, Kafka also spoke fluent Czech. Later, Kafka acquired some knowledge of the French language and culture from Flaubert, one of his favorite authors.
Kafka first studied chemistry at the Charles-Ferdinand University of Prague but after two weeks switched to law. This study offered a range of career possibilities, which pleased his father, and required a longer course of study that gave Kafka time to take classes in German studies and art history. At the university, he joined a student club, named Lese- und Redehalle der Deutschen Studenten, which organized literary events, readings, and other activities. In the end of his first year of studies, he met Max Brod, a close friend of his throughout his life, together with the journalist Felix Weltsch, who also studied law. Kafka obtained the degree of doctor of law on 18 June 1906 and performed an obligatory year of unpaid service as law clerk for the civil and criminal courts.
Writing of Kafka attracted little attention before his death. During his lifetime, he published only a few short stories and never finished any of his novels except the very short "The Metamorphosis." Kafka wrote to Max Brod, his friend and literary executor: "Dearest Max, my last request: Everything I leave behind me ... in the way of diaries, manuscripts, letters (my own and others'), sketches, and so on, [is] to be burned unread." Brod told Kafka that he intended not to honor these wishes, but Kafka, so knowing, nevertheless consequently gave these directions specifically to Brod, who, so reasoning, overrode these wishes. Brod in fact oversaw the publication of most of work of Kafka in his possession; these works quickly began to attract attention and high critical regard.
Max Brod encountered significant difficulty in compiling notebooks of Kafka into any chronological order as Kafka started writing in the middle of notebooks, from the last towards the first, et cetera.
Kafka wrote all his published works in German except several letters in Czech to Milena Jesenská.
Jewish middle-class family of this major fiction writer of the 20th century spoke German. People consider his unique body of much incomplete writing, mainly published posthumously, among the most influential in European literature.
His stories include "The Metamorphosis" (1912) and " In the Penal Colony " (1914), whereas his posthumous novels include The Trial (1925), The Castle (1926) and Amerika (1927).
Despite first language, Kafka also spoke fluent Czech. Later, Kafka acquired some knowledge of the French language and culture from Flaubert, one of his favorite authors.
Kafka first studied chemistry at the Charles-Ferdinand University of Prague but after two weeks switched to law. This study offered a range of career possibilities, which pleased his father, and required a longer course of study that gave Kafka time to take classes in German studies and art history. At the university, he joined a student club, named Lese- und Redehalle der Deutschen Studenten, which organized literary events, readings, and other activities. In the end of his first year of studies, he met Max Brod, a close friend of his throughout his life, together with the journalist Felix Weltsch, who also studied law. Kafka obtained the degree of doctor of law on 18 June 1906 and performed an obligatory year of unpaid service as law clerk for the civil and criminal courts.
Writing of Kafka attracted little attention before his death. During his lifetime, he published only a few short stories and never finished any of his novels except the very short "The Metamorphosis." Kafka wrote to Max Brod, his friend and literary executor: "Dearest Max, my last request: Everything I leave behind me ... in the way of diaries, manuscripts, letters (my own and others'), sketches, and so on, [is] to be burned unread." Brod told Kafka that he intended not to honor these wishes, but Kafka, so knowing, nevertheless consequently gave these directions specifically to Brod, who, so reasoning, overrode these wishes. Brod in fact oversaw the publication of most of work of Kafka in his possession; these works quickly began to attract attention and high critical regard.
Max Brod encountered significant difficulty in compiling notebooks of Kafka into any chronological order as Kafka started writing in the middle of notebooks, from the last towards the first, et cetera.
Kafka wrote all his published works in German except several letters in Czech to Milena Jesenská.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 15, 2023
Capitalism is inherently cruel to sick and disabled bodies. Any of us could wake up as a bug any day and be unable to work. I have so much sympathy for Gregor, he deserved better.
August 6, 2025
it's all about when you are providing something you are special and have value in the society. or otherwise if you are useless you became burden to the society even on your family.
December 3, 2022
the book is not all that people make it to be but it makes you think so it's okay 👍
May 12, 2023
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I usually greatly enjoy classics (even translated ones) and like to think about their deeper meanings and such.
The Metamorphosis is often praised in literary circles for its anti-capitalist views and showing how humans are neglected in capitalist society. This was very obvious in the book, as were the feminist ideas of Grete growing into the same kind of provider role that Gregor was in.
However, it didn't feel like the epiphany about capitalism or feminism as others have described it to be. It was rather boring and did not feel like a subtle allegory for the workforce at all. If anything, it felt incredibly heavy-handed instead of commenting on society in the subtler way that many classics do.
All this to say, I was bored and unimpressed. I don't think I will be reading much more by Kafka if this is what his books are like.
The Metamorphosis is often praised in literary circles for its anti-capitalist views and showing how humans are neglected in capitalist society. This was very obvious in the book, as were the feminist ideas of Grete growing into the same kind of provider role that Gregor was in.
However, it didn't feel like the epiphany about capitalism or feminism as others have described it to be. It was rather boring and did not feel like a subtle allegory for the workforce at all. If anything, it felt incredibly heavy-handed instead of commenting on society in the subtler way that many classics do.
All this to say, I was bored and unimpressed. I don't think I will be reading much more by Kafka if this is what his books are like.
Read
November 24, 2023I have no idea how to rate this. I was expecting something a little different, I think
May 12, 2025
Kafka's version of Baghban
July 24, 2024
★★★★★ (5/5)
A selection of my favorite passages from the book
· One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin.
· “Getting up early all the time”, he thought, “it makes you stupid. You’ve got to get enough sleep.
· “This is something that can’t be done in bed”, Gregor said to himself, “so don’t keep trying to do it”.
· He told himself once more that it was not possible for him to stay in bed and that the most sensible thing to do would be to get free of it in whatever way he could at whatever sacrifice. At the same time, though, he did not forget to remind himself that calm consideration was much better than rushing to desperate conclusions.
· Why did Gregor have to be the only one condemned to work for a company where they immediately became highly suspicious at the slightest shortcoming? Were all employees, every one of them, louts, was there not one of them who was faithful and devoted who would go so mad with pangs of conscience that he couldn’t get out of bed if he didn’t spend at least a couple of hours in the morning on company business?
· it was money that should not really be touched but set aside for emergencies; money to live on had to be earned.
· oppressed with anxiety and self-reproach, he began to crawl about, he crawled over everything, walls, furniture, ceiling, and finally in his confusion as the whole room began to spin around him he fell down into the middle of the dinner table. He lay there for a while, numb and immobile, all around him it was quiet, maybe that was a good sign.
· He got into the habit of closely watching it for one or two hours before it was opened and then, lying in the darkness of his room where he could not be seen from the living room, he could watch the family in the light of the dinner table and listen to their conversation—with everyone’s permission, in a way, and thus quite differently from before.
· Who, in this tired and overworked family, would have had time to give more attention to Gregor than was absolutely necessary? The household budget became even smaller;
· They carried out absolutely everything that the world expects from poor people, Gregor’s father brought bank employees their breakfast, his mother sacrificed herself by washing clothes for strangers, his sister ran back and forth behind her desk at the behest of the customers, but they just did not have the strength to do any more.
· Yet Gregor’s sister was playing so beautifully. Her face was leant to one side, following the lines of music with a careful and melancholy expression. Gregor crawled a little further forward, keeping his head close to the ground so that he could meet her eyes if the chance came. Was he an animal if music could captivate him so? It seemed to him that he was being shown the way to the unknown nourishment he had been yearning for.
· He was determined to make his way forward to his sister and tug at her skirt to show her she might come into his room with her violin, as no-one appreciated her playing here as much as he would. He never wanted to let her out of his room, not while he lived, anyway; his shocking appearance should, for once, be of some use to him; he wanted to be at every door of his room at once to hiss and spit at the attackers; his sister should not be forced to stay with him, though, but stay of her own free will; she would sit beside him on the couch with her ear bent down to him while he told her how he had always intended to send her to the conservatory, how he would have told everyone about it last Christmas—had Christmas really come and gone already?—if this misfortune hadn’t got in the way, and refuse to let anyone dissuade him from it. On hearing all this, his sister would break out in tears of emotion, and Gregor would climb up to her shoulder and kiss her neck, which, since she had been going out to work, she had kept free without any necklace or collar.
· He thought back of his family with emotion and love. If it was possible, he felt that he must go away even more strongly than his sister. He remained in this state of empty and peaceful rumination until he heard the clock tower strike three in the morning. He watched as it slowly began to get light everywhere outside the window too. Then, without his willing it, his head sank down completely, and his last breath flowed weakly from his nostrils.
· They decided the best way to make use of that day was for relaxation and to go for a walk; not only had they earned a break from work but they were in serious need of it. So they sat at the table and wrote three letters of excusal, Mr. Samsa to his employers, Mrs. Samsa to her contractor and Grete to her principal.
February 5, 2023
Just... weird. Some interesting perspectives on work, duty, family, and caretaking, but overall just weird.
Update: After thinking and talking about this book a bit more I'm understanding it through a different lens and it's more clear what the point is. Seeing it through the lens of role playing, longing, loneliness, and the lack of vulnerability in relationships leading makes the story more compelling. Still weird and kinda gross which I guess is Kafkas M.O. but more compelling.
Update: After thinking and talking about this book a bit more I'm understanding it through a different lens and it's more clear what the point is. Seeing it through the lens of role playing, longing, loneliness, and the lack of vulnerability in relationships leading makes the story more compelling. Still weird and kinda gross which I guess is Kafkas M.O. but more compelling.
December 26, 2022
probably going to watch some video essays later this week about the book haha
October 22, 2025
Classically Kafka, it was a good and intriguing short read. While I preferred the long and brutal journeys of Kafka other literature more, this was a nice quick read which left me just as sad!
March 21, 2023
I just want to say that this is the only book that ever made me cry.
September 20, 2022
Franz Kafka, one of the greatest writer of all time. Writer of book "metamorphosis", a short but very significant work, which can be read in day if not hours.
Story ; Gregor samsa, a traveling salesman, one day wakes up and found himself transformed into insect (i,e cockroach) with human mind and understanding. It is genuine bewilderment, that what happened to Gregor. The one who reads starting pages will initially expects, a miracle in the end of story but it is not so. Initially Gregor, thinks it's transformation to bug is mere a dream, but later his body feel pain and burden, realises his transformation is a reality. His family ( Mr. And Mrs. Samsa and Grete, his sister) understand that they have lost the breadearner. His sister is now, left to take care of him, who provides him with food. One day Grete and mother, were taking furniture out, Gregor frightened his mother to which he was not intended. His father is turned against him, for he did to Mrs. Samsa. The family has, turned fully against him, even his sister. They want to get rid of him as soon as possible. Gregor, Listened her sister's words, she said " it's got to go" You've to get rid of Gregor. How can that be Gregor ? If it is Gregor, he would have seen long ago that it's not possible for human beings to live with an animal like that and he would have fine of his own free will. Next day , when cleaning lady, shouts the the bug is dead, whole family starts cheering for what they intended to get rid of, became true. After the lady tells them, the whole happenings, she had witnessed, while cleaning the Gregor's room, whole family starts mourning. The family settled in another apartment afterwards, hoping, Grete will be their future.
In my view , the story stresses upon changes in Human emotions, sentiments and relationships.
Gregor, the only breadearner and care taker of family, when transformed into insect, it was his only sister who's emotions, sentiments and relationship reamain true, who provided him with food. Even his father changed his behaviour and mend his way after this process.
Above instances, makes it clear and avid at huge content that, the change is a human nature, one can't blame anyone for the transformation.
Story ; Gregor samsa, a traveling salesman, one day wakes up and found himself transformed into insect (i,e cockroach) with human mind and understanding. It is genuine bewilderment, that what happened to Gregor. The one who reads starting pages will initially expects, a miracle in the end of story but it is not so. Initially Gregor, thinks it's transformation to bug is mere a dream, but later his body feel pain and burden, realises his transformation is a reality. His family ( Mr. And Mrs. Samsa and Grete, his sister) understand that they have lost the breadearner. His sister is now, left to take care of him, who provides him with food. One day Grete and mother, were taking furniture out, Gregor frightened his mother to which he was not intended. His father is turned against him, for he did to Mrs. Samsa. The family has, turned fully against him, even his sister. They want to get rid of him as soon as possible. Gregor, Listened her sister's words, she said " it's got to go" You've to get rid of Gregor. How can that be Gregor ? If it is Gregor, he would have seen long ago that it's not possible for human beings to live with an animal like that and he would have fine of his own free will. Next day , when cleaning lady, shouts the the bug is dead, whole family starts cheering for what they intended to get rid of, became true. After the lady tells them, the whole happenings, she had witnessed, while cleaning the Gregor's room, whole family starts mourning. The family settled in another apartment afterwards, hoping, Grete will be their future.
In my view , the story stresses upon changes in Human emotions, sentiments and relationships.
Gregor, the only breadearner and care taker of family, when transformed into insect, it was his only sister who's emotions, sentiments and relationship reamain true, who provided him with food. Even his father changed his behaviour and mend his way after this process.
Above instances, makes it clear and avid at huge content that, the change is a human nature, one can't blame anyone for the transformation.
February 6, 2024
*writing this for myself, prob incoherent*
Tragic… I thought it would’ve been more than what people made it seem to be… expectations are never good… but there were some really weird moments, not gna get into that but I feel like the real monster in the book was the father and he’s the one that actually ruined all their lives and blah blah blah, they all became slaves to capitalism at the end irregardless but I hated how they didn’t choose to work until Gregor couldn’t anymore. That was very upsetting… because if they had been doing his from before, none of this would’ve happened… their reasons for not working were clearly not valid and the fact that they had a maid and a cook during this? Be so fr rn.
And then the switch up of Greta made sense but she was acc weird for yelling at the mom for cleaning talm bout « taking her place » or wtv? Hella weird. And I hated that the daughter and father teamed up against the mother when the father was actually an asshole and the mother was doing her best. This phenomenon occurs too much and literally everywhere. It’s very upsetting.
In a dystopian kind of way, they had a happy ending with Gregor’s death… he was like the hero that was supposed to break free (?) but too many things were against him (??)
I did really like the portrayal of Gregor, his internal monologue was well written and I found myself very concerned for him and mad at his family on his behalf. Gregor was just a such a sweet lover boy that cared too much.
All in all, I really wanted to love this book but I just didn’t really care for it. The story telling was fine and I was captivated at times but I would not read it again and I only finished it because, 1. I made a vow of discipline to finish all books that I start even if I hate them… and 2. I did just really wanted to read it because of my expectations, I thought this book would’ve been life changing but maybe I just don’t understand it well enough to fully grasp the concepts? I mean I think I do but it was just not that enjoyable of a read.
Tragic… I thought it would’ve been more than what people made it seem to be… expectations are never good… but there were some really weird moments, not gna get into that but I feel like the real monster in the book was the father and he’s the one that actually ruined all their lives and blah blah blah, they all became slaves to capitalism at the end irregardless but I hated how they didn’t choose to work until Gregor couldn’t anymore. That was very upsetting… because if they had been doing his from before, none of this would’ve happened… their reasons for not working were clearly not valid and the fact that they had a maid and a cook during this? Be so fr rn.
And then the switch up of Greta made sense but she was acc weird for yelling at the mom for cleaning talm bout « taking her place » or wtv? Hella weird. And I hated that the daughter and father teamed up against the mother when the father was actually an asshole and the mother was doing her best. This phenomenon occurs too much and literally everywhere. It’s very upsetting.
In a dystopian kind of way, they had a happy ending with Gregor’s death… he was like the hero that was supposed to break free (?) but too many things were against him (??)
I did really like the portrayal of Gregor, his internal monologue was well written and I found myself very concerned for him and mad at his family on his behalf. Gregor was just a such a sweet lover boy that cared too much.
All in all, I really wanted to love this book but I just didn’t really care for it. The story telling was fine and I was captivated at times but I would not read it again and I only finished it because, 1. I made a vow of discipline to finish all books that I start even if I hate them… and 2. I did just really wanted to read it because of my expectations, I thought this book would’ve been life changing but maybe I just don’t understand it well enough to fully grasp the concepts? I mean I think I do but it was just not that enjoyable of a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2025
For reference, this version appears to be the one on Project Gutenberg, or at least one edition of it - editions there can be updated, though. I've heard mixed things about this translation; speaking as someone who read this one first it seemed fine to me, a layperson. I read it on there, right as a single big web page. I can only imagine trying to explain that to Franz Kafka.
The Metamorphosis is a sad, strange, absurd, and moving book. Kafka's humor shines through the translation onto the bleak surface of its story. You can feel the weight on the Samsas throughout, and each of their struggles with sympathy and empathy, and with the toil on their bones. Taken on its themes, the subject of disability or illness, shouldered under the lack of a support net is unfortunately quite relevant today. You can feel for this family as they navigate their situation. Kafka squeezes so much detail into a short narrative about each small struggle of Gregor's new condition, how it makes him feel. Trying to control the reactions of others, the unfortunate sights, smells, and attempts at silver linings are bizarre but extremely human.
The metamorphosis itself is a potent and compelling metaphor. Life is short, and we could all wake up a little like Gregor one day. How do we navigate it? What will our friends think - or worse, our employers? That shouldn't be important, but for many, many more people today that is top of mind.
It's unfortunate that this story is still so relevant today, but it only makes it more worth reading. I hope that one hundred years from now, we'll see more empathy, and more support for the Samsas and Kafkas of the world.
The Metamorphosis is a sad, strange, absurd, and moving book. Kafka's humor shines through the translation onto the bleak surface of its story. You can feel the weight on the Samsas throughout, and each of their struggles with sympathy and empathy, and with the toil on their bones. Taken on its themes, the subject of disability or illness, shouldered under the lack of a support net is unfortunately quite relevant today. You can feel for this family as they navigate their situation. Kafka squeezes so much detail into a short narrative about each small struggle of Gregor's new condition, how it makes him feel. Trying to control the reactions of others, the unfortunate sights, smells, and attempts at silver linings are bizarre but extremely human.
The metamorphosis itself is a potent and compelling metaphor. Life is short, and we could all wake up a little like Gregor one day. How do we navigate it? What will our friends think - or worse, our employers? That shouldn't be important, but for many, many more people today that is top of mind.
It's unfortunate that this story is still so relevant today, but it only makes it more worth reading. I hope that one hundred years from now, we'll see more empathy, and more support for the Samsas and Kafkas of the world.
October 1, 2024
No wonder this short story is so widely appreciated!
This was BEAUTIFUL! I cried a trifle at the end there. Beautifully written, showing the complexity of the situation, using the transformation into a beetle as a metaphor for (I think) disability of some kind, which in this situation it was, was SO TOUCHING! The dilemma of the family, the moral obligation and all. Such tragic turn of events but read kind of like a ‘slice of life’ to me even if the situation is rather bizarre.
Marvelous writing no wonder he was one of the best writers of the 20th century. Also, I find that most of the writers that are not so prolific and reclusive/introverted often write exhilarating works of literature than their prolific counterparts (obviously this is just a stereotype I’m making up you only need names like Stephen King, Roald Dahl, etcetera to debunk this, but it’s worth a thought).
Honestly, loved this so much, gonna be my go-to if somebody wants to read a short story for the first time or are more adept in reading them but haven’t read this still.
Gonna read more of his works when I do get the time next year most probably.
I can write such a long Essay on this in this review its themes call for such treatment, not gonna though, there already are Essays and reviews out there that do, I just wanted to express a little bit of my thoughts here after reading this wonderful book.
Marvelous.
This was BEAUTIFUL! I cried a trifle at the end there. Beautifully written, showing the complexity of the situation, using the transformation into a beetle as a metaphor for (I think) disability of some kind, which in this situation it was, was SO TOUCHING! The dilemma of the family, the moral obligation and all. Such tragic turn of events but read kind of like a ‘slice of life’ to me even if the situation is rather bizarre.
Marvelous writing no wonder he was one of the best writers of the 20th century. Also, I find that most of the writers that are not so prolific and reclusive/introverted often write exhilarating works of literature than their prolific counterparts (obviously this is just a stereotype I’m making up you only need names like Stephen King, Roald Dahl, etcetera to debunk this, but it’s worth a thought).
Honestly, loved this so much, gonna be my go-to if somebody wants to read a short story for the first time or are more adept in reading them but haven’t read this still.
Gonna read more of his works when I do get the time next year most probably.
I can write such a long Essay on this in this review its themes call for such treatment, not gonna though, there already are Essays and reviews out there that do, I just wanted to express a little bit of my thoughts here after reading this wonderful book.
Marvelous.
July 15, 2025
A Curious Read, but Ultimately Left Me Cold
This was my first time reading The Metamorphosis, and I have to admit it felt like a bit of a letdown. I tried to approach the story with an open mind and simply follow it as it unfolded, but I often found myself disconnected or confused.
The plot reads almost like the retelling of a disturbing dream — surreal, disorienting, and emotionally distant. On a surface level, it’s about a man who wakes up transformed into a grotesque insect, but beyond that, it seems to be loaded with symbolic meaning that I’m not sure I fully grasped. Some interpretations came to mind: a metaphor for illness, disability, or how society and even family discard those who stop being “useful.” The way Gregor is gradually isolated and dehumanized felt like a harsh reflection on how people can become burdens once they can no longer contribute financially.
There’s a heavy presence of themes like work, obligation, and dependency, which gave me a sense of critique toward capitalism or societal expectations — but again, nothing felt clearly spelled out. If there’s a deeper philosophical or existential layer, I didn’t find it easily accessible, at least on this first read.
I can see how others might find richness and meaning in its ambiguity, but for me, it didn’t resonate deeply. It’s a strange story, and while I respect its place in literature, I personally didn’t connect with it the way I hoped.
This was my first time reading The Metamorphosis, and I have to admit it felt like a bit of a letdown. I tried to approach the story with an open mind and simply follow it as it unfolded, but I often found myself disconnected or confused.
The plot reads almost like the retelling of a disturbing dream — surreal, disorienting, and emotionally distant. On a surface level, it’s about a man who wakes up transformed into a grotesque insect, but beyond that, it seems to be loaded with symbolic meaning that I’m not sure I fully grasped. Some interpretations came to mind: a metaphor for illness, disability, or how society and even family discard those who stop being “useful.” The way Gregor is gradually isolated and dehumanized felt like a harsh reflection on how people can become burdens once they can no longer contribute financially.
There’s a heavy presence of themes like work, obligation, and dependency, which gave me a sense of critique toward capitalism or societal expectations — but again, nothing felt clearly spelled out. If there’s a deeper philosophical or existential layer, I didn’t find it easily accessible, at least on this first read.
I can see how others might find richness and meaning in its ambiguity, but for me, it didn’t resonate deeply. It’s a strange story, and while I respect its place in literature, I personally didn’t connect with it the way I hoped.
October 15, 2024
Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis tells a tale of Gregor Samsa. A man who has been providing for his family's seemingly lazy lifestyle and one day finds himself unable to do so, being transformed into a huge insect.
The family starts to shun him and eventually completely discards him, yet initially he blames only himself for their despair.
The story shows how the family slowly learns to thrive in having to provide for themselves, while Gregor's situation deteriorates.
I have read many different interpretations of the meaning of the story, and I am by no means the right person to tell you which ones are correct and which ones are not.
I read it as a symbol for society throwing someone out the minute they stop being useful, with the hopeful ending of that same society finding the freedom and empowerment in working together to improve their situation. One could argue (and many have done, rather more convincingly than me) that this is a criticism of capitalism.
All in all I find this is a story on which everyone can project their own interpretations, showing the brilliance of how it was written.
The family starts to shun him and eventually completely discards him, yet initially he blames only himself for their despair.
The story shows how the family slowly learns to thrive in having to provide for themselves, while Gregor's situation deteriorates.
I have read many different interpretations of the meaning of the story, and I am by no means the right person to tell you which ones are correct and which ones are not.
I read it as a symbol for society throwing someone out the minute they stop being useful, with the hopeful ending of that same society finding the freedom and empowerment in working together to improve their situation. One could argue (and many have done, rather more convincingly than me) that this is a criticism of capitalism.
All in all I find this is a story on which everyone can project their own interpretations, showing the brilliance of how it was written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2025
Gregor deserved better. I interpreted this novella as an allegory of mental or physical infirment and how particularly a capitalistic societial views these people as vermin or insects. Gregor finds himself suddenly and unexpectedly turned into an insect, and he immediately worries about how he will perform his job and take care of his dependent family in humorous but also melancholy manner. His family immediately isolate him, and over time, they grow to be self-sufficient and grow resent him and even view his presence as burden and wishes him gone. This story is as absurd as it is sorrowful, as at any point anyone us could be turned into an insect. The writing style is straightforward, and the size makes It easy to read in one sitting.
December 31, 2024
Does a family's love hold when one is unemployed and "useless"?
A raw and cruel take on how this world treats an unemployed/disabled person.
Painfully slow paced but better for it.
As uncomfortable as it made me with the inevitable truth of human relationships in this capitalistic society, I can tell that this book is gonna stay with me for a long time. Possibly interfere with a lot of decisions in my life.
Gregor deserved better. My heart goes out to him.
Overall, picked this to branch out my reading tastes and all I can say is, Franz Kafka, welcome to my circle.
A raw and cruel take on how this world treats an unemployed/disabled person.
Painfully slow paced but better for it.
As uncomfortable as it made me with the inevitable truth of human relationships in this capitalistic society, I can tell that this book is gonna stay with me for a long time. Possibly interfere with a lot of decisions in my life.
Gregor deserved better. My heart goes out to him.
Overall, picked this to branch out my reading tastes and all I can say is, Franz Kafka, welcome to my circle.
November 12, 2024
i have no words, life is absolutely nothing.
gregor was working hard to pay off his father's debt and this is how they pay him back? but honestly? i understand the family's situation as well, the only bread earner of your family is now your liability? I get it. i also understand gregors perspective, i understand his sister, grete, her perspective as well and I don't know how to feel about any of this.
what is life, anyways?
gregor was working hard to pay off his father's debt and this is how they pay him back? but honestly? i understand the family's situation as well, the only bread earner of your family is now your liability? I get it. i also understand gregors perspective, i understand his sister, grete, her perspective as well and I don't know how to feel about any of this.
what is life, anyways?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2025
1.A very thought provoking book.
2.It's written so well (that makes you feel like you just had a void in your heart and feel completely miserable)
I hate the fact that this book tells you how "Love can turn to disgust when you stop being usefull or convinent"
3.Gregor samsa deserved so much better than a f**king load of apples
4.Hate how the samsa family treated him instead of helping him
5.This book gives you some level of trust issues
Overall a must read
2.It's written so well (that makes you feel like you just had a void in your heart and feel completely miserable)
I hate the fact that this book tells you how "Love can turn to disgust when you stop being usefull or convinent"
3.Gregor samsa deserved so much better than a f**king load of apples
4.Hate how the samsa family treated him instead of helping him
5.This book gives you some level of trust issues
Overall a must read
February 20, 2023
A great but short novella. While the plot may seem mundane, it is a really well thought and crafted story, that inspired a thousand if not more writers. The plot doesn't give much room for thinking, it is straightforward and to the point about a harsh reality a person can live on, slave by his body but freed of mind.
January 5, 2024
This is my first time reading something like this, because of which I might be a little biased toward the book. It is a short 64ish page novella, some people were complaining it is boring, I don't know how they are bored reading such a short novella. For new comers this specific translation for me as a new reader helped me alot and I hope you will find it just as easy to digest as well. Good luck
Read
April 27, 2024Less extravagant than I remember (it may perhaps be this particular translation?) But I appreciated returning to this and considering from angles beyond the obvious. Above all else the text is sad and pathetic.
July 12, 2025
I liked this book. It was something I could finish in one sitting, and I wanted to keep reading. I think there are so many meanings you can take from it. Is it literal? Is it a metaphor? It stays on your mind. An interesting read.
November 6, 2025
They only appreciate you when you're doing them a favor. They only love you when you're useful to them. It's so sad to see that when your darkest times come, they don't show you any sympathy.
I love this book and will read it again.
I love this book and will read it again.
February 8, 2023
4.5
Gentle
Gentle
June 14, 2023
4/5
A simple read with deep interpretations!
A simple read with deep interpretations!
August 17, 2023
As a man and a son it is relatable
December 30, 2023
Poor Gregor. This book does capture the pain of isolation pretty well. I felt bad about the rotting apple. Overall, it was fine, decent short read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews