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The Essential Kafka
"I am a cage, in search of a bird."
Translated and with an Introduction by John R. Williams
Like George Orwell, Franz Kafka has given his name to a world of nightmare, but in Kafka’s world, it is never completely clear just what the nightmare is. The Trial, where the rules are hidden from even the highest officials, and if there is any help to be had, it will come from unexpected sources, is a chilling, blackly amusing tale that maintains, to the very end, a relentless atmosphere of disorientation. Superficially about bureaucracy, it is in the last resort a description of the absurdity of 'normal' human nature.
Still more enigmatic is The Castle. Is it an allegory of a quasi-feudal system giving way to a new freedom for the subject? The search by a central European Jew for acceptance into a dominant culture? A spiritual quest for grace or salvation? An individual's struggle between his sense of independence and his need for approval? Is it all of these things? And K? Is he opportunist, victim, or an outsider battling against elusive authority?
Finally, in his fables, Kafka deals in dark and quirkily humorous terms with the insoluble dilemmas of a world which offers no reassurance, and no reliable guidance to resolving our existential and emotional uncertainties and anxieties.
Translated and with an Introduction by John R. Williams
Like George Orwell, Franz Kafka has given his name to a world of nightmare, but in Kafka’s world, it is never completely clear just what the nightmare is. The Trial, where the rules are hidden from even the highest officials, and if there is any help to be had, it will come from unexpected sources, is a chilling, blackly amusing tale that maintains, to the very end, a relentless atmosphere of disorientation. Superficially about bureaucracy, it is in the last resort a description of the absurdity of 'normal' human nature.
Still more enigmatic is The Castle. Is it an allegory of a quasi-feudal system giving way to a new freedom for the subject? The search by a central European Jew for acceptance into a dominant culture? A spiritual quest for grace or salvation? An individual's struggle between his sense of independence and his need for approval? Is it all of these things? And K? Is he opportunist, victim, or an outsider battling against elusive authority?
Finally, in his fables, Kafka deals in dark and quirkily humorous terms with the insoluble dilemmas of a world which offers no reassurance, and no reliable guidance to resolving our existential and emotional uncertainties and anxieties.
614 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
453 people are currently reading
3752 people want to read
About the author
Franz Kafka
3,234 books37.8k 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
February 14, 2022
that was very kafkaesque
November 9, 2021
Kafka sounds like someone i should love but everytime i read his works i feel like i'm gonna fall asleep.... love the vibe. 3 stars
June 22, 2017
I genuinely adore Kafka and I'm so glad I got to read a lot of his work this month. This collection contains some of his most well known works such as The Trial, The Castle, and The Metamorphosis. As for it being 'essential' though, I was disappointed that it doesn't contain The Hunger Artist because that's a story I really wanted to read.
I read everything in here apart from the last half of The Castle because I wasn't enjoying the translation, and so I'm going to find a better translation of it and read that story again. However, I fell in love with The Trial and thought it was eerie, bleak and provided a dark portrayal of authoritarian rule. What works in this collection is the way many of Kafka's works connect with each other, such as A Letter to my Father which gives a bit of background to why Kafka's settings are very patriarchal and dominating.
Though I'm sad this wasn't the best translation I could've got I still absolutely loved reading these and think he's one of my favourite writers now. I'm only knocking off a star simply because I couldn't finish the Castle and there were more stories of Kafka's that I think should've been included.
If you're new to Kafka or want to try him out, definitely read the stories in this collection. He is a brilliant, tortured writer who grasps the absurdity of existence with a strange ease.
I read everything in here apart from the last half of The Castle because I wasn't enjoying the translation, and so I'm going to find a better translation of it and read that story again. However, I fell in love with The Trial and thought it was eerie, bleak and provided a dark portrayal of authoritarian rule. What works in this collection is the way many of Kafka's works connect with each other, such as A Letter to my Father which gives a bit of background to why Kafka's settings are very patriarchal and dominating.
Though I'm sad this wasn't the best translation I could've got I still absolutely loved reading these and think he's one of my favourite writers now. I'm only knocking off a star simply because I couldn't finish the Castle and there were more stories of Kafka's that I think should've been included.
If you're new to Kafka or want to try him out, definitely read the stories in this collection. He is a brilliant, tortured writer who grasps the absurdity of existence with a strange ease.
November 7, 2020
Listen, I only read this chunky volume because it’s been sitting on my shelf staring at me for over three years. I had higher expectations and was not expecting to be so CONFUSED. I don’t have a big enough brain for this and I refuse to Google it so.. make of these mini reviews what you will.
PS - I have no idea what genres these short stories fall into but they're bizarre so?
The Trial – 2*
This was just confusing, I thought I understood what was going on and then I just didn’t again. I think that’s the point but I didn’t like it. It was boring and too long and I didn’t really care. The true meaning of this was definitely lost on me, the writing/translation was good though.
The Castle – 1*
I thought The Trial was too long, confusing and boring – imagine my pain pushing myself through this one. It felt exactly the same but different. Couldn’t tell you a thing about this it was so rambly and jumpy. Again, no idea what this meant.
Metamorphosis – 4*
FINALLY a good time after 455 pages of nonsense. Much easier to follow, made me laugh due to how bizarre it is. Had a good time, it was easy to read and well written. Quick and to the point, made me uneasy but in a good way. Still gonna be honest though – no idea what Kafka is going for in terms of meaning of metaphor. But my emotions were positive.
In the Penal Colony – 3*
This was disturbing and I’m not sure in which was I mean that. Thankfully though it was really short. I understood it well enough, but I don’t know if I understood it. Recurring theme here.
The Judgment – 2*
???????????????????????
Letter to my Father – 4*
This I could’ve read an entire book of, it was way more open and honest. I guess because it wasn’t really a piece of fiction but a personal one. I really enjoyed it, it was very tender. It discussed vulnerability, power, double standards etc from an authority figure that I enjoyed reading about. Was quite sad, but in a nice way.
(Also included several very short pieces of writing that I didn’t rate or have much of an opinion on.)
So, that was my first and last experience of Franz Kafka. If you ask me this time next week about my opinion on any of these pieces I’ll tell you quite frankly I don’t remember a thing other than giant insects and being a bad father. It was a weird one, but at least it no longer burdens my TBR.
PS - I have no idea what genres these short stories fall into but they're bizarre so?
The Trial – 2*
This was just confusing, I thought I understood what was going on and then I just didn’t again. I think that’s the point but I didn’t like it. It was boring and too long and I didn’t really care. The true meaning of this was definitely lost on me, the writing/translation was good though.
The Castle – 1*
I thought The Trial was too long, confusing and boring – imagine my pain pushing myself through this one. It felt exactly the same but different. Couldn’t tell you a thing about this it was so rambly and jumpy. Again, no idea what this meant.
Metamorphosis – 4*
FINALLY a good time after 455 pages of nonsense. Much easier to follow, made me laugh due to how bizarre it is. Had a good time, it was easy to read and well written. Quick and to the point, made me uneasy but in a good way. Still gonna be honest though – no idea what Kafka is going for in terms of meaning of metaphor. But my emotions were positive.
In the Penal Colony – 3*
This was disturbing and I’m not sure in which was I mean that. Thankfully though it was really short. I understood it well enough, but I don’t know if I understood it. Recurring theme here.
The Judgment – 2*
???????????????????????
Letter to my Father – 4*
This I could’ve read an entire book of, it was way more open and honest. I guess because it wasn’t really a piece of fiction but a personal one. I really enjoyed it, it was very tender. It discussed vulnerability, power, double standards etc from an authority figure that I enjoyed reading about. Was quite sad, but in a nice way.
(Also included several very short pieces of writing that I didn’t rate or have much of an opinion on.)
So, that was my first and last experience of Franz Kafka. If you ask me this time next week about my opinion on any of these pieces I’ll tell you quite frankly I don’t remember a thing other than giant insects and being a bad father. It was a weird one, but at least it no longer burdens my TBR.
September 15, 2017
The Trial:
Kafka’s The Trial follows Josef Ks nightmarish journey to uncover the truth behind his own arrest, and the story is both humorous and disturbing to read. Through a labyrinthine law system, filled with menacing law students and lawyers who view themselves as royalty, Ks struggle is in vain. The Trail refers not only to his upcoming court procedures, but his endeavor to grasp what is happening to him and why. Much of the story works on several levels, with metaphors and questions that have no clear answer. The Painter’s rendition of how the legal system works was downright brilliant, as not only is the court chambers located within hidden lofts, apartments and alleyways, but the law itself is obscure, and secretive to the extreme. Very well written, with some beautifully absurd moments and characters that will stay with me for a long time. The more I think about it, the more I liked it. Absolutely recommended.
The Castle follows Ks journey to gain access to the castle above a small village, the quest seems never-ending and leads from absurd situation to the downright bizarre as Ks struggles to gain even knowledge about the castle and its officials. At first glance, the novel seems to be about an outsider trying to find his place in society, to gain acceptance by his neighbors and community. As with the Trial, there is so much more going on beneath the surface of the story. Again, the labyrinthine bureaucracy returns to make life an absurd joke of trying to tie of loose ends and meet the right official to gain but a fraction of leverage towards the ultimate goal. I found this novel to be a bit dry and at times almost dull, with long, unbroken monologues and dreary landscapes. But isn't that some of the point of the story perhaps, a farce, the ultimate symbol of life's absurdity and pointlessness? As with the Trial, it’s very hard to just let the novel go, and I think it will linger in the back of my mind for quite some time.
The Metamorphosis is Kafka's most famous short story and tells the bizarre tale of Gregor Samsa's transformation into a giant beetle. The story is filled with existentialism, questions of self-worth and fear of authoritative figures. The story is sad, horrifying and at times darkly funny, such as the cleaning woman who tries to talk to him for no apparent reason. Kafka deals with heavy issues here as he makes us think of how we measure our being and our self-importance; through family, through work? Like his other stories, I am left with a sense of wonder and a lot to think about, as I feel his stories have a heavy retrospective impact. Truly excellent stuff.
The Penal Colony is a shocking account of a European visitor to a French penal colony where he is presented with a machine that passes judgement and execution over prisoners. This extraordinary machine tattoos lines of text into the skin of the prisoner until he dies of it after some 6 hours of torture. No trial, no questions and no mercy. This story had some unbelievably unpleasant imagery and oppressive atmosphere. Kafka makes us think about justice, punishment and cultural differences throughout the story. As relevant now as it was when it was written in 1914. Unbelievable and horrifying, and perhaps the best Kafka story I have read so far! Highly recommended!
The Judgement is a short story about an overbearing dominant father figure in the life of a young man. The narrative which starts out normal enough, quickly turns absurd and sad as the young man’s world view is put into question by his dominating father. Again, the themes of authoritarian fear, patriarchal fear and mistrust crop up witch leads us to the next piece in the book;
A Letter to my Father seems to be the key to unlocking a lot of the riddles that pop up throughout his stories. Harrowing and very hard to read, this is a frail young man, opening his innermost thoughts and feelings to his psychologically abusive father. Paranoia, guilt, inadequacies, sexual repression, mistrust of authorities and contempt for religion all stems from his traumatized relationship with his father. It’s difficult to read, but essential to understanding Kafka’s tales and novels.
This collection ends with a couple of his shorter stories, of which I liked Metaphors best. Reading Kafka for the first time has been a semi-religious experience for me, I felt really touched by the novels and stories and he has given me a lot to ponder over. Part horror, part weird fiction, Kafka is very difficult to put into a specific genre, but that is a good thing I think. Absolutely recommended!
Kafka’s The Trial follows Josef Ks nightmarish journey to uncover the truth behind his own arrest, and the story is both humorous and disturbing to read. Through a labyrinthine law system, filled with menacing law students and lawyers who view themselves as royalty, Ks struggle is in vain. The Trail refers not only to his upcoming court procedures, but his endeavor to grasp what is happening to him and why. Much of the story works on several levels, with metaphors and questions that have no clear answer. The Painter’s rendition of how the legal system works was downright brilliant, as not only is the court chambers located within hidden lofts, apartments and alleyways, but the law itself is obscure, and secretive to the extreme. Very well written, with some beautifully absurd moments and characters that will stay with me for a long time. The more I think about it, the more I liked it. Absolutely recommended.
The Castle follows Ks journey to gain access to the castle above a small village, the quest seems never-ending and leads from absurd situation to the downright bizarre as Ks struggles to gain even knowledge about the castle and its officials. At first glance, the novel seems to be about an outsider trying to find his place in society, to gain acceptance by his neighbors and community. As with the Trial, there is so much more going on beneath the surface of the story. Again, the labyrinthine bureaucracy returns to make life an absurd joke of trying to tie of loose ends and meet the right official to gain but a fraction of leverage towards the ultimate goal. I found this novel to be a bit dry and at times almost dull, with long, unbroken monologues and dreary landscapes. But isn't that some of the point of the story perhaps, a farce, the ultimate symbol of life's absurdity and pointlessness? As with the Trial, it’s very hard to just let the novel go, and I think it will linger in the back of my mind for quite some time.
The Metamorphosis is Kafka's most famous short story and tells the bizarre tale of Gregor Samsa's transformation into a giant beetle. The story is filled with existentialism, questions of self-worth and fear of authoritative figures. The story is sad, horrifying and at times darkly funny, such as the cleaning woman who tries to talk to him for no apparent reason. Kafka deals with heavy issues here as he makes us think of how we measure our being and our self-importance; through family, through work? Like his other stories, I am left with a sense of wonder and a lot to think about, as I feel his stories have a heavy retrospective impact. Truly excellent stuff.
The Penal Colony is a shocking account of a European visitor to a French penal colony where he is presented with a machine that passes judgement and execution over prisoners. This extraordinary machine tattoos lines of text into the skin of the prisoner until he dies of it after some 6 hours of torture. No trial, no questions and no mercy. This story had some unbelievably unpleasant imagery and oppressive atmosphere. Kafka makes us think about justice, punishment and cultural differences throughout the story. As relevant now as it was when it was written in 1914. Unbelievable and horrifying, and perhaps the best Kafka story I have read so far! Highly recommended!
The Judgement is a short story about an overbearing dominant father figure in the life of a young man. The narrative which starts out normal enough, quickly turns absurd and sad as the young man’s world view is put into question by his dominating father. Again, the themes of authoritarian fear, patriarchal fear and mistrust crop up witch leads us to the next piece in the book;
A Letter to my Father seems to be the key to unlocking a lot of the riddles that pop up throughout his stories. Harrowing and very hard to read, this is a frail young man, opening his innermost thoughts and feelings to his psychologically abusive father. Paranoia, guilt, inadequacies, sexual repression, mistrust of authorities and contempt for religion all stems from his traumatized relationship with his father. It’s difficult to read, but essential to understanding Kafka’s tales and novels.
This collection ends with a couple of his shorter stories, of which I liked Metaphors best. Reading Kafka for the first time has been a semi-religious experience for me, I felt really touched by the novels and stories and he has given me a lot to ponder over. Part horror, part weird fiction, Kafka is very difficult to put into a specific genre, but that is a good thing I think. Absolutely recommended!
August 19, 2024
THE TRIAL ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The discovery of the flogging !!! The fact that the court is behind every attic wall in the city !!! The insane amazing bathos laden ending !!! The fable in the church !!! "Like a dog"...
Kafka's work has the atmosphere of a nightmare in a very specific and singular way. It's the kind of nightmare where you already accept you've done something horrible but you're not exactly sure what it is, only that everyone knows. Or its the kind of nightmare where everyone else seems to understand something that you cannot grasp, where you're forever cast out of the group and cannot return. The guilt, the exile - its not specific because it suffuses everything. It's the guilt of imposing your existence on the world.
THE CASTLE⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⁉️
Started off loving it. The anxiety is stranger, more diffuse than in The Trial, and K.'s endless conversations where he can't seem to get off on anything but a hostile footing, and can't establish any basic uncontroversial information, are a lot of fun. I also love the tragic figure of Frieda; in both novels the guilt that everyone seems to detect in K./Josef K. has a lot to do with their treatment of women, which is obviously bad and which they know borders on the predatory. The bits about the assistants, always coiled up together and acting like slapstick marionettes, are great fun too. The longer this went on tho, the more lost in its winding dialogues I became, and it took me a while to finish - def one to return to.
THE METAMORPHOSIS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Funnier and sadder than I expected. The image of the insect looking out of the window, or hiding under the sofa😭 and that poor quiet death. Again, a beautiful dream logic insofar as Gregor never questions why he turns into an insect, he just knows he's fucked up by doing so, and will get fired and throw his family into poverty....
IN THE PENAL COLONY⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.....
THE JUDGEMENT⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
He published this one?! What did his dad think lol
THE LETTER TO MY FATHER & the other little fables⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The discovery of the flogging !!! The fact that the court is behind every attic wall in the city !!! The insane amazing bathos laden ending !!! The fable in the church !!! "Like a dog"...
Kafka's work has the atmosphere of a nightmare in a very specific and singular way. It's the kind of nightmare where you already accept you've done something horrible but you're not exactly sure what it is, only that everyone knows. Or its the kind of nightmare where everyone else seems to understand something that you cannot grasp, where you're forever cast out of the group and cannot return. The guilt, the exile - its not specific because it suffuses everything. It's the guilt of imposing your existence on the world.
THE CASTLE⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⁉️
Started off loving it. The anxiety is stranger, more diffuse than in The Trial, and K.'s endless conversations where he can't seem to get off on anything but a hostile footing, and can't establish any basic uncontroversial information, are a lot of fun. I also love the tragic figure of Frieda; in both novels the guilt that everyone seems to detect in K./Josef K. has a lot to do with their treatment of women, which is obviously bad and which they know borders on the predatory. The bits about the assistants, always coiled up together and acting like slapstick marionettes, are great fun too. The longer this went on tho, the more lost in its winding dialogues I became, and it took me a while to finish - def one to return to.
THE METAMORPHOSIS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Funnier and sadder than I expected. The image of the insect looking out of the window, or hiding under the sofa😭 and that poor quiet death. Again, a beautiful dream logic insofar as Gregor never questions why he turns into an insect, he just knows he's fucked up by doing so, and will get fired and throw his family into poverty....
IN THE PENAL COLONY⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.....
THE JUDGEMENT⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
He published this one?! What did his dad think lol
THE LETTER TO MY FATHER & the other little fables⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 22, 2024
In "The Essential Kafka", translated by John Williams, the exploration of Kafka's enigmatic world is commendable. The translation captures Kafka's essence, yet some expressions and reactions feel lost compared to other translations. While the selection of works is solid, the overall presentation could be more engaging. It serves as a decent introduction to Kafka's writings, but falls short of achieving a truly immersive experience. Finally, to readers that are not native English speakers, some chapters might be dificult to follow.
April 9, 2013
A julgar pelo nome do livro, a coletânea de histórias só peca por não conter O Processo e Cartas ao Pai. Existem vários comentários interessantes feitos pelo tradutor Modesto Carone. Muitos dos comentários são maiores que os próprias histórias e levantam aspectos muito sutis da escrita do Kafka. O comentário que antecede a história "Na galeria" é excelente.
Dessa coleção de bolso Penguin-Companhia da Letras, esse livro tem umas das melhores capas.
Dessa coleção de bolso Penguin-Companhia da Letras, esse livro tem umas das melhores capas.
July 27, 2025
Reading this collection made me understand Kafka’s work much more deeply and the pattern each of his stories have. I wrote a review on each of the separately because I had different views on each of the stories. I particularly liked the very short stories at the end of this collection specifically Letter From The Emperor. I suggest reading this collection to anyone who wants a general idea of what Kafka’s work is about and a deeper insight into his psyche
March 8, 2017
I might be being generous with three stars.
I'll start by saying the particular cover we got on this books (The Wordsworth Classics version) was absolutely terrifying and as I had no idea what any of Kafka's stories were about, I didn't know what it was in reference to and I had all sorts of horrendous thoughts about what it could be.
I'm going to be honest and say I was particularly disappointed in this book overall as I'd heard such wonderful things about Kafka's work but I really didn't think most of the stories were very good at all. The two that stood out to me were Metamorphosis and In The Penal Colony.
I found both The Trial and The Castle felt unbearably long and rambling. I understood the concept but I thought it was poorly executed. Josef K from The Trial bumbles around trying to figure things out but to me gets tied up and obsessing over the most random things that should have no bearing on what is happening, but turn out to be pivotal in the story. The same happens in The Castle in which K bumbles around trying to figure out how to get to the castle and for some reason marries a bar wench whom he falls in and out of love with at the drop of a hat. What makes The Castle worse than The Trial though is that is is unfinished, it literally stops mid sentence. There is no conclusion so everything you had slogged through reading to that point was, well pointless.
Metamorphosis was enjoyable though it had it's own problems. The main problem being that if I woke up one morning as a giant cockroach, then I think I would have more of a reaction that wondering how I'm going to get myself out of bed! Also I hope if I ever did wake up as a cockroach one day, that my family would treat me much better than Gregor's did.
In The Penal Colony was definitely my favourite out of all the short stories in this book. The detail that is gone into by the officer and the passion that he describes the execution device is incredible and the thought that has gone into it is kind of terrifying.
Overall sadly very disappointed with Kafka, but I can now at least say I've read him.
I'll start by saying the particular cover we got on this books (The Wordsworth Classics version) was absolutely terrifying and as I had no idea what any of Kafka's stories were about, I didn't know what it was in reference to and I had all sorts of horrendous thoughts about what it could be.
I'm going to be honest and say I was particularly disappointed in this book overall as I'd heard such wonderful things about Kafka's work but I really didn't think most of the stories were very good at all. The two that stood out to me were Metamorphosis and In The Penal Colony.
I found both The Trial and The Castle felt unbearably long and rambling. I understood the concept but I thought it was poorly executed. Josef K from The Trial bumbles around trying to figure things out but to me gets tied up and obsessing over the most random things that should have no bearing on what is happening, but turn out to be pivotal in the story. The same happens in The Castle in which K bumbles around trying to figure out how to get to the castle and for some reason marries a bar wench whom he falls in and out of love with at the drop of a hat. What makes The Castle worse than The Trial though is that is is unfinished, it literally stops mid sentence. There is no conclusion so everything you had slogged through reading to that point was, well pointless.
Metamorphosis was enjoyable though it had it's own problems. The main problem being that if I woke up one morning as a giant cockroach, then I think I would have more of a reaction that wondering how I'm going to get myself out of bed! Also I hope if I ever did wake up as a cockroach one day, that my family would treat me much better than Gregor's did.
In The Penal Colony was definitely my favourite out of all the short stories in this book. The detail that is gone into by the officer and the passion that he describes the execution device is incredible and the thought that has gone into it is kind of terrifying.
Overall sadly very disappointed with Kafka, but I can now at least say I've read him.
October 2, 2021
" I have no wish to claim that it was only you that made me like this ; you just reinforced what was there, but you reinforced it all the more because you had such power over me, and you used all the power you had. "
Out of the 4 main shorts from this edition of Kafka's essentials, this one particularly I was able to resonate with, to such an extent I had to constantly pause and recall certain events of my own adulthood and the outcome of my relationship with the family.
With several intense emotions that came barging in right from beginning, one can't help but associate with all if it, from self- sabotaging behavior, inability to think for oneself, to social awkwardness, enormous self-doubt and intense joy that came out of sudden but occasional outbursts of love (in my case was too much love and passive aggressive behavior from the parents) , warmth and kindness in the family and the immense guilt that had resulted from the later.
" Fortunately, however, there were exceptions to this, mostly when you suffered in silence and the full force of love and kindness overcame all resistance and flowed freely.
However, even such benevolent impressions in the end only increased my sense of guilt and made the world yet more incomprehensible for me. "
The amount of empathy Kafka displays towards every person in his life fills me up with so much hope and fondness for he doesn't intend to blame it all entirely upon them.
" I would probably have become a shy and timid person in any case, but it is a long and dark way from there to where I actually am. "
I hear people say reading Kafka would be life changing, but this was life itself to me, extreme loneliness like no other, I've never been able to relate to a person or a piece of writing to this level. As much as a depressing read this was, everything about it has left me feeling more alive and perhaps a little less alone.
Out of the 4 main shorts from this edition of Kafka's essentials, this one particularly I was able to resonate with, to such an extent I had to constantly pause and recall certain events of my own adulthood and the outcome of my relationship with the family.
With several intense emotions that came barging in right from beginning, one can't help but associate with all if it, from self- sabotaging behavior, inability to think for oneself, to social awkwardness, enormous self-doubt and intense joy that came out of sudden but occasional outbursts of love (in my case was too much love and passive aggressive behavior from the parents) , warmth and kindness in the family and the immense guilt that had resulted from the later.
" Fortunately, however, there were exceptions to this, mostly when you suffered in silence and the full force of love and kindness overcame all resistance and flowed freely.
However, even such benevolent impressions in the end only increased my sense of guilt and made the world yet more incomprehensible for me. "
The amount of empathy Kafka displays towards every person in his life fills me up with so much hope and fondness for he doesn't intend to blame it all entirely upon them.
" I would probably have become a shy and timid person in any case, but it is a long and dark way from there to where I actually am. "
I hear people say reading Kafka would be life changing, but this was life itself to me, extreme loneliness like no other, I've never been able to relate to a person or a piece of writing to this level. As much as a depressing read this was, everything about it has left me feeling more alive and perhaps a little less alone.
July 16, 2020
Kafka's 20th century world comes from a threatening existential experience. The experience (closely described in the "Letter to my Father") disturbs his being in the world in a meaningful way. All of his works: "The Trial", "The Castle", "Metamorphosis", and other stories comes in a form of distorted reality due to ones inner suffering, alienation, corruption, and abuse of power. Often Kafka touches upon ones inability to form meaningful relationships, which was one of the most disrupting parts of his existence.
His self-reflection in writing describes his inability to overcome his own darkness that continuously surrounds him. His romanticization of death can be seen in most of his writing, and is his way of ending the absurd. He often reflects on over-sensitivity as a flaw and anxiety as an inner confusion mechanism. At the same time, he reflects on overworked society losing itself in meaningless jobs, slaving their life away. In "The Judgement" he admits that we must think of a new way of life.
All of the writing ties together once you reach "Letter to my Father" which I'd call the best bonus of reading all his works in a single copy. His struggle for existence created one of the most insightful writings on inner-suffering. "Letter to my Father" was one of the most vulnerable pieces I have ever read.
His self-reflection in writing describes his inability to overcome his own darkness that continuously surrounds him. His romanticization of death can be seen in most of his writing, and is his way of ending the absurd. He often reflects on over-sensitivity as a flaw and anxiety as an inner confusion mechanism. At the same time, he reflects on overworked society losing itself in meaningless jobs, slaving their life away. In "The Judgement" he admits that we must think of a new way of life.
All of the writing ties together once you reach "Letter to my Father" which I'd call the best bonus of reading all his works in a single copy. His struggle for existence created one of the most insightful writings on inner-suffering. "Letter to my Father" was one of the most vulnerable pieces I have ever read.
November 14, 2017
• I wrote separate reviews for every novel and story in this book: The Trial, The Castle, The Metamorphosis, In the Penal Colony, The Judgement, and Letter to My Father.
It was quiet a ride!
My feelings towards Kafka are expressed in the following gifs! I’m not crazy... Believe me! I’M NOT CRAZY!
I’M NOT CRAAAAAAAZY!!!!!!!!!!
• I wrote separate reviews for every novel and story in this book: The Trial, The Castle, The Metamorphosis, In the Penal Colony, The Judgement, and Letter to My Father.
It was quiet a ride!
My feelings towards Kafka are expressed in the following gifs! I’m not crazy... Believe me! I’M NOT CRAZY!
I’M NOT CRAAAAAAAZY!!!!!!!!!!
October 8, 2014
Kafka's "Metamorphosis" resonated with me on an unexpected level. I enjoyed the ambiguity of its implications, allowing a reader to determine his/her personal lens through which to examine it. Kafka writes intelligently, furthermore believing his readers are intelligent. Being challenged, therefore, to understand his concepts from various angles was a refreshing form of reading. I enjoyed "The Hunger Artist" and "Parables", finding "The Country Doctor" to be confusingly intriguing. I haven't read many short stories in the past, yet these have inspired in me a longing to do so.
February 2, 2022
I really enjoyed “the trial”, “metamorphosis”, “the penal colony” and fell in love with “letter to my father”.
One thing's for sure: if you don't get/like philosophy you'll never be able to understand nor appreciate Kafka.
One thing's for sure: if you don't get/like philosophy you'll never be able to understand nor appreciate Kafka.
June 27, 2018
Wow that was hard going.. interesting though
November 6, 2025
im glad I came back and tried Kafka again - I totally missed the tragedy and comedy inherent within his storytelling. Absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking, but balanced out with funny and ridiculous characters and situations.
"Letter to my father" really clicks into place a cohesive contextual understanding of most of the texts in this collection, however the Metamorphosis is interesting to read through the marxist lense.
"The less you eat, drink, buy books, go to the theatre or to balls, or to the pub, and the less you think, love, theorize, sing, paint, fence, etc., the more you will be able to save and the greater will become your treasure which neither moth nor rust will corrupt—your capital. The less you are, the less you express your life, the more you have, the greater is your alienated life and the greater is the saving of your alienated being."
This quote from Marx somewhat applies to Metamorphosis. Although they are working to pay off debts - Samsa has become nothing but a cog in the machine. He has nothing but work, that has become his whole life, he has debased himself to the point that he IS his work, that is all he can identify himself with, the accumulation of capital for his work, almost all of it goes into paying off his families debt. He has alienated and debased himself from being human, he has grown his alienated life to the point that he has qualitatively transformed into something inhuman. Even when he can no longer walk normally all he can think about is his job and the debt he has to pay. I believe the original term for what he transformed into is "unclean animal not suitable for sacrifice". He has nothing that hasn't been dirtied by his alienated labor. In contrast his sister finds joy and life in her creativity, and with the sacrifice of her brother, becomes truly human.
"Letter to my father" really clicks into place a cohesive contextual understanding of most of the texts in this collection, however the Metamorphosis is interesting to read through the marxist lense.
"The less you eat, drink, buy books, go to the theatre or to balls, or to the pub, and the less you think, love, theorize, sing, paint, fence, etc., the more you will be able to save and the greater will become your treasure which neither moth nor rust will corrupt—your capital. The less you are, the less you express your life, the more you have, the greater is your alienated life and the greater is the saving of your alienated being."
This quote from Marx somewhat applies to Metamorphosis. Although they are working to pay off debts - Samsa has become nothing but a cog in the machine. He has nothing but work, that has become his whole life, he has debased himself to the point that he IS his work, that is all he can identify himself with, the accumulation of capital for his work, almost all of it goes into paying off his families debt. He has alienated and debased himself from being human, he has grown his alienated life to the point that he has qualitatively transformed into something inhuman. Even when he can no longer walk normally all he can think about is his job and the debt he has to pay. I believe the original term for what he transformed into is "unclean animal not suitable for sacrifice". He has nothing that hasn't been dirtied by his alienated labor. In contrast his sister finds joy and life in her creativity, and with the sacrifice of her brother, becomes truly human.
April 5, 2022
Franz Kafka nasceu no que hoje é conhecido como a República Tcheca em 1883. Era formado em direito e passou muito tempo em sanatórios, mas nunca deixou de escrever. Essa coletânea reúne o que se acredita essencial para entender a obra do autor.
Quando eu li 'A Metamorfose' lá em 2018 eu decidi que Kafka seria minha mais nova obsessão, porém levou tempo para que eu voltasse a ler algo dele: só em 2020 que fui pegar 'Na Colônia Penal' nas mãos e, depois de favoritar, decidi que precisava manter essa obsessão. Comprei esse livro que reúne contos, parábolas e novelas essenciais do autor e, mesmo amando, acho que foi um erro.
A graça de ler Franz Kafka é saber dosar e acredito que o que me fez ficar levemente obcecado por ele foi ler essas duas novelas com um espaço considerável de tempo entre elas justamente porque é algo tão único (e brutal) que choca e deixa pensando por um tempão. Quando se lê tudo de uma vez só como nesse livro, vai chegando um momento que enjoa e aí tudo parece fazer um pouco menos de sentido sabe?
Eu aprecio como as obras foram distribuídas, ainda mais por tudo pavimentar um caminho para a obra-prima, 'A Metamorfose', que vem no final. Só que algumas obras não me parecem TÃO essenciais assim, ainda mais no caso de 'Aforismos' que tá na cara que foi algo que o autor escreveu sem intenção de publicar, mas depois da sua morte seu melhor amigo publicou também junto com a maior parte da sua obra.
Esse é um livro grandioso e brutal. Recomendo ler em poucas doses para que ele se mantenha assim durante toda a leitura, já que devorar não me parece uma boa ideia, mesmo com a mais excepcional das obras.
Quando eu li 'A Metamorfose' lá em 2018 eu decidi que Kafka seria minha mais nova obsessão, porém levou tempo para que eu voltasse a ler algo dele: só em 2020 que fui pegar 'Na Colônia Penal' nas mãos e, depois de favoritar, decidi que precisava manter essa obsessão. Comprei esse livro que reúne contos, parábolas e novelas essenciais do autor e, mesmo amando, acho que foi um erro.
A graça de ler Franz Kafka é saber dosar e acredito que o que me fez ficar levemente obcecado por ele foi ler essas duas novelas com um espaço considerável de tempo entre elas justamente porque é algo tão único (e brutal) que choca e deixa pensando por um tempão. Quando se lê tudo de uma vez só como nesse livro, vai chegando um momento que enjoa e aí tudo parece fazer um pouco menos de sentido sabe?
Eu aprecio como as obras foram distribuídas, ainda mais por tudo pavimentar um caminho para a obra-prima, 'A Metamorfose', que vem no final. Só que algumas obras não me parecem TÃO essenciais assim, ainda mais no caso de 'Aforismos' que tá na cara que foi algo que o autor escreveu sem intenção de publicar, mas depois da sua morte seu melhor amigo publicou também junto com a maior parte da sua obra.
Esse é um livro grandioso e brutal. Recomendo ler em poucas doses para que ele se mantenha assim durante toda a leitura, já que devorar não me parece uma boa ideia, mesmo com a mais excepcional das obras.
March 5, 2020
Eerily recognizable working in a modern service environment. I related to Kafka when I found out that his former employer Assicurazioni Generali is also my former employer. In Letter to my father he shortly describes the power abusive situation he encountered there. Not only made this help me understand his haunting story environments better, but it also gave me strength to face the modern day absurdities without feeling guilty. When reading about characters mindlessly repeating the same patterns because they are conditioned to think that’s the way it’s done, like the father of Barnabas and Amalia in The Castle, even while it is leading to his own physical downfall, I realized how necessary it is to bring sanity back in our own everyday life. Perhaps a life changing book.
August 2, 2019
Buku ini adalah kumpulan karya terbaik seorang Kafka. Kesuraman ,mimpi buruk, kekuasaan yg opresif, birokrasi yg rumit, menjadi tema besar di setiap karya Kafka. Kehidupan membosankan seorang pegawai juga digambarkan sangat apik. Dilema yg dirasakan protagonis dalam menghadapi kekuasaan dan birokrasi yg elusif, membuat pembaca bertanya-tanya tentang intensi dari sang tokoh utama. Apakah dia korban atau hanya seorang oportunis yg gagal.
Musuh terburuk adalah kekuatan yg samar tapi mematikan.
Musuh terburuk adalah kekuatan yg samar tapi mematikan.
February 17, 2018
Além da boa seleção de textos feitos nesta edição, o seu grande valor são o prefácio e os comentários introdutórios dos textos, trazendo importantes considerações para o melhor entendimento da obra e da genialidade de Franz Kafka.
July 4, 2017
A good read, forces are out there working against us and changes are happening which we can't control. We can watch how things unfold but are quite often powerless to prevent the inevitable.
December 7, 2019
Além de A Mefamorfose, há pelo menos duas outras gemas nessa coletânea de escritos do Kafka, os contos A Colônia Penal e O Artista da Fome.
January 12, 2020
Bela coleção de textos para entender melhor um dos maiores autores do século passado.
July 22, 2021
Only In the Penal Colony
March 19, 2025
With every sentence, Kafka traps his reader into a hallucinatory world painted with dread. In this dream-like state, we get to discover the raw reality we face in everyday society. This juxtaposition of setting and meaning allures us into a visceral reading experience that is unforgettable in its tactility.
In “The Essential Kafka”, John R. Williams collects some of author’s greatest works: “The Trial”, “The Castle”, “Metamorphosis”, “In the Penal Colony”, “The Judgment”, “Letter to My Father” and a handful of very short stories. The two unfinished novels at the start of the collection give a glimpse of the art of the Bohemian writer, but the shorter complete works help us gain a full understanding of Kafka’s excellence.
In his introduction, John R. Williams is keen to provide a biographical setting, allowing the new reader to better understand the volume they are about to encounter. Specifically, he tries to dispel the myths around the overused but misunderstood concept of “Kafkaesque”. We’ve been so trained to focus on the bureaucracy of “The Trial” or the horror of “Metamorphosis”, that we often miss the dark humour in his works, we relegate alienation to secondary status, and we fundamentally miss the impact patriarchy has on the development of the writer. The non-chronological sequence of the collection seems to focus on creating a complete understanding, leading to the explosive denouement that is “Letter to My Father”. Kafka’s honesty and directness towards his parent forces us to reassess his entire body of work through a new prism.
“The Trial” and “The Castle” have much in common. In both novels, the fictional character K finds himself in a world in which the reason for his failure is never explained. The crime for which he is arrested in “The Trial” is hidden as much as the necessity of his employment in “The Castle”. This lack of knowledge allows Kafka to divert our attention on the society surrounding his central character. Hence, we get drawn into a bureaucratic world from which no answers are ever acquired. In turn, K is forced to tread a blind path in search of truth, a path that gets ever longer with each step he takes. The contrived nature of Kafka’s writing invites symbolic interpretations. Whether we talk about a man’s quest for knowledge and self-realisation in an unjust world, or an artist’s inability to fully belong to reality, we are never truly close to the actual meaning of each of the novels. The difficulty is undoubtedly seeded in the fact that none of the works has ever been completed, and therefore neither plot or story contain the full ingredients for a critical assessment that is void of suppositions.
The short stories on the other hand, in their complete form, provide a much more solid ground for argumentation. “Metamorphosis”, on the surface, speaks angrily of the impacts of alienation. The officer in “In the Penal Colony” defies us with his commitment to despotism and fanaticism. In “The Judgement” and “A Little Fable”, we develop a keen approval of determinism of action triggered by societal structures. Many have argued that these works have religious symbolism, linking characters to different Christian concepts that help make these works gain meaning. These readings however are haunted by ignorance and their blatant refusal that at heart Kafka is deeply rooted in the Jewish literary tradition. Others have pitted their criticism around sociological realism. These interpretations have merits, but I feel they fall short in describing the brilliance of Kafka’s narrative.
Upon reading “The Letter to My Father”, I have come to the conclusion that Kafka in his fictional world lays bare his most intimate thoughts to ultimately create one of the greatest damnations of patriarchy we can find in literature. The act of feeling as a monstrous vermin as a consequence of his father’s actions cannot but return us to the shocking reality of “Metamorphosis”. The novella’s central character undergoes a metaphorical transformation and decay to emphasise on the horror brought by despotic paternalism. The sister, who first helps her brother in his time of need only to be the first to reject his existence, is the actual character that undergoes a genuine transformation. Her final departure from her parents does not just glorify the importance of female independence, moreover it calls into question the actual dominance of patriarchy and its weakness beyond a façade of power. The honesty of this conclusion is further reinforced in “The Judgement”, for demise seems more appropriate than living under the cruelty of fathers.
The defiance to patriarchy is less obvious in both “The Trial” and “The Castle”, nonetheless it still sits at the core of both texts. The shame of existence is at the heart of unlocking the secret of “The Trial”, for it is rooted in the inability of an individual to outlive the expectations set by hypocritical parental forces. Each male character in this novel, as well as in “The Castle”, ultimately lack any direct form of meaningful action, and arguably, it is the women in these novels who act as catalysts for change. This crypticism is hidden in plain sight. All we need is just to focus our attention away from the central character and look even superficially at those around him.
This unexpected angle is what transformed my appreciation of Kafka’s writings. As a writer he stops being part of the classical canon, in spite of the experimental nature of his writing. Instead he becomes a liberator of the word from the shackles of traditional literary patriarchy. His motives are hidden, but his characters explode on the page with frankness, even when they get sacrificed for their courage to speak up. Akin to Emily Dickenson, Franz Kafka dared to speak with a unique voice for those that are under-represented in the shadow of heteronormative conservatism. For that, he deserves utmost celebration in the canon of literature.
In “The Essential Kafka”, John R. Williams collects some of author’s greatest works: “The Trial”, “The Castle”, “Metamorphosis”, “In the Penal Colony”, “The Judgment”, “Letter to My Father” and a handful of very short stories. The two unfinished novels at the start of the collection give a glimpse of the art of the Bohemian writer, but the shorter complete works help us gain a full understanding of Kafka’s excellence.
In his introduction, John R. Williams is keen to provide a biographical setting, allowing the new reader to better understand the volume they are about to encounter. Specifically, he tries to dispel the myths around the overused but misunderstood concept of “Kafkaesque”. We’ve been so trained to focus on the bureaucracy of “The Trial” or the horror of “Metamorphosis”, that we often miss the dark humour in his works, we relegate alienation to secondary status, and we fundamentally miss the impact patriarchy has on the development of the writer. The non-chronological sequence of the collection seems to focus on creating a complete understanding, leading to the explosive denouement that is “Letter to My Father”. Kafka’s honesty and directness towards his parent forces us to reassess his entire body of work through a new prism.
“The Trial” and “The Castle” have much in common. In both novels, the fictional character K finds himself in a world in which the reason for his failure is never explained. The crime for which he is arrested in “The Trial” is hidden as much as the necessity of his employment in “The Castle”. This lack of knowledge allows Kafka to divert our attention on the society surrounding his central character. Hence, we get drawn into a bureaucratic world from which no answers are ever acquired. In turn, K is forced to tread a blind path in search of truth, a path that gets ever longer with each step he takes. The contrived nature of Kafka’s writing invites symbolic interpretations. Whether we talk about a man’s quest for knowledge and self-realisation in an unjust world, or an artist’s inability to fully belong to reality, we are never truly close to the actual meaning of each of the novels. The difficulty is undoubtedly seeded in the fact that none of the works has ever been completed, and therefore neither plot or story contain the full ingredients for a critical assessment that is void of suppositions.
The short stories on the other hand, in their complete form, provide a much more solid ground for argumentation. “Metamorphosis”, on the surface, speaks angrily of the impacts of alienation. The officer in “In the Penal Colony” defies us with his commitment to despotism and fanaticism. In “The Judgement” and “A Little Fable”, we develop a keen approval of determinism of action triggered by societal structures. Many have argued that these works have religious symbolism, linking characters to different Christian concepts that help make these works gain meaning. These readings however are haunted by ignorance and their blatant refusal that at heart Kafka is deeply rooted in the Jewish literary tradition. Others have pitted their criticism around sociological realism. These interpretations have merits, but I feel they fall short in describing the brilliance of Kafka’s narrative.
Upon reading “The Letter to My Father”, I have come to the conclusion that Kafka in his fictional world lays bare his most intimate thoughts to ultimately create one of the greatest damnations of patriarchy we can find in literature. The act of feeling as a monstrous vermin as a consequence of his father’s actions cannot but return us to the shocking reality of “Metamorphosis”. The novella’s central character undergoes a metaphorical transformation and decay to emphasise on the horror brought by despotic paternalism. The sister, who first helps her brother in his time of need only to be the first to reject his existence, is the actual character that undergoes a genuine transformation. Her final departure from her parents does not just glorify the importance of female independence, moreover it calls into question the actual dominance of patriarchy and its weakness beyond a façade of power. The honesty of this conclusion is further reinforced in “The Judgement”, for demise seems more appropriate than living under the cruelty of fathers.
The defiance to patriarchy is less obvious in both “The Trial” and “The Castle”, nonetheless it still sits at the core of both texts. The shame of existence is at the heart of unlocking the secret of “The Trial”, for it is rooted in the inability of an individual to outlive the expectations set by hypocritical parental forces. Each male character in this novel, as well as in “The Castle”, ultimately lack any direct form of meaningful action, and arguably, it is the women in these novels who act as catalysts for change. This crypticism is hidden in plain sight. All we need is just to focus our attention away from the central character and look even superficially at those around him.
This unexpected angle is what transformed my appreciation of Kafka’s writings. As a writer he stops being part of the classical canon, in spite of the experimental nature of his writing. Instead he becomes a liberator of the word from the shackles of traditional literary patriarchy. His motives are hidden, but his characters explode on the page with frankness, even when they get sacrificed for their courage to speak up. Akin to Emily Dickenson, Franz Kafka dared to speak with a unique voice for those that are under-represented in the shadow of heteronormative conservatism. For that, he deserves utmost celebration in the canon of literature.
April 5, 2023
This collection presents readers with a carefully chosen selection of short stories by one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. With its impeccable translation, enlightening introduction, and overall accessibility, it is an indispensable addition to any personal library. It is important to note that you do not need to be an expert in Kafka to enjoy the narrative power of his work, as this collection offers an excellent introduction to the complex and surreal world of the writer.
Speaking from personal experience, I had already read some of the selected stories in this book, which did not prevent me from enjoying it as a reader. For those who do not like the author or find his works difficult to understand, I suggest looking for editions of books that have informative prefaces for better contextualization of the featured works. Overall, capturing the tension and dark atmosphere of Kafka's works is a formidable experience. From time to time, I read texts by the author and never tire of being surprised.
★★★★
Esta colección presenta a los lectores una cuidadosa selección de cuentos de uno de los mayores escritores del siglo XX. Con su traducción impecable, introducción esclarecedora y accesibilidad general, constituye una adición indispensable a cualquier biblioteca personal. Es importante destacar que no es necesario ser un experto en Kafka para disfrutar de la potencia narrativa de él, ya que la obra ofrece una excelente introducción al mundo complejo y surreal del escritor.
Hablando por experiencia propia, yo ya había leído algunos cuentos seleccionados en este libro, lo que no impidió mi deleite como lector. Para aquellos que no les gusta el autor o encuentran sus obras difíciles de comprender, sugiero ediciones de libros que tengan prefacios informativos para una mejor contextualización de las obras destacadas. En general, conseguir capturar la tensión y la atmósfera sombría de las obras de Kafka es una experiencia formidable. De vez en cuando, leo textos del autor y nunca me canso de sorprenderme.
★★★★
Esta coletânea apresenta aos leitores uma seleção cuidadosamente escolhida de contos de um dos maiores escritores do século XX. Com sua tradução impecável, introdução esclarecedora e acessibilidade geral, constitui uma adição indispensável a qualquer biblioteca pessoal. É importante destacar que você não precisa ser um especialista em Kafka para desfrutar da potência narrativa dele, pois a obra oferece uma excelente introdução ao mundo complexo e surreal do escritor.
Falando por experiência própria, eu já havia lido alguns contos selecionados neste livro, o que não impediu meu deleite como leitor. Àqueles que não gostam do autor ou acham suas obras difíceis de compreender, sugiro edições de livros que tenham prefácios informativos para melhor contextualização das obras destacadas. De modo geral, conseguir capturar a tensão e atmosfera sombria das obras de Kafka é uma experiência formidável. De vez em quando, leio textos do autor e nunca me canso de me surpreender.
★★★★
Speaking from personal experience, I had already read some of the selected stories in this book, which did not prevent me from enjoying it as a reader. For those who do not like the author or find his works difficult to understand, I suggest looking for editions of books that have informative prefaces for better contextualization of the featured works. Overall, capturing the tension and dark atmosphere of Kafka's works is a formidable experience. From time to time, I read texts by the author and never tire of being surprised.
★★★★
Esta colección presenta a los lectores una cuidadosa selección de cuentos de uno de los mayores escritores del siglo XX. Con su traducción impecable, introducción esclarecedora y accesibilidad general, constituye una adición indispensable a cualquier biblioteca personal. Es importante destacar que no es necesario ser un experto en Kafka para disfrutar de la potencia narrativa de él, ya que la obra ofrece una excelente introducción al mundo complejo y surreal del escritor.
Hablando por experiencia propia, yo ya había leído algunos cuentos seleccionados en este libro, lo que no impidió mi deleite como lector. Para aquellos que no les gusta el autor o encuentran sus obras difíciles de comprender, sugiero ediciones de libros que tengan prefacios informativos para una mejor contextualización de las obras destacadas. En general, conseguir capturar la tensión y la atmósfera sombría de las obras de Kafka es una experiencia formidable. De vez en cuando, leo textos del autor y nunca me canso de sorprenderme.
★★★★
Esta coletânea apresenta aos leitores uma seleção cuidadosamente escolhida de contos de um dos maiores escritores do século XX. Com sua tradução impecável, introdução esclarecedora e acessibilidade geral, constitui uma adição indispensável a qualquer biblioteca pessoal. É importante destacar que você não precisa ser um especialista em Kafka para desfrutar da potência narrativa dele, pois a obra oferece uma excelente introdução ao mundo complexo e surreal do escritor.
Falando por experiência própria, eu já havia lido alguns contos selecionados neste livro, o que não impediu meu deleite como leitor. Àqueles que não gostam do autor ou acham suas obras difíceis de compreender, sugiro edições de livros que tenham prefácios informativos para melhor contextualização das obras destacadas. De modo geral, conseguir capturar a tensão e atmosfera sombria das obras de Kafka é uma experiência formidável. De vez em quando, leio textos do autor e nunca me canso de me surpreender.
★★★★
September 24, 2024
During my process of finishing Thus Spoke Zarathustra, I fortunately did manage to keep up reading other books as well (let’s hope i can still manage to reach my reading goal for this year, but i’m in good hopes, not only
cus i discovered that going to tobacco shops in Paris is a go-to place for cool people to have a coffee n just chill and i found a nice place to just order a tea and read my book while looking hot n approachable (i hope)) but also cus im rediscovering my love for literature.
Talking about literature, Kafka is someone who I do regard highly. With a style of writing which is v unique and as one might say kafka-esque, it’s the way he portrays his protagonists in such bizarre yet real ways mirroring his own anxiety-filled mind that left the biggest impression on me. Ofcourse there are notions of lack in his stories for example when it comes to plot, but this is also something that you could rate inversely and see this peculiar way of forming a story as something artistic which i can fully get as well.
Overall, im v grateful i read it n im looking forward to some more works of him!
cus i discovered that going to tobacco shops in Paris is a go-to place for cool people to have a coffee n just chill and i found a nice place to just order a tea and read my book while looking hot n approachable (i hope)) but also cus im rediscovering my love for literature.
Talking about literature, Kafka is someone who I do regard highly. With a style of writing which is v unique and as one might say kafka-esque, it’s the way he portrays his protagonists in such bizarre yet real ways mirroring his own anxiety-filled mind that left the biggest impression on me. Ofcourse there are notions of lack in his stories for example when it comes to plot, but this is also something that you could rate inversely and see this peculiar way of forming a story as something artistic which i can fully get as well.
Overall, im v grateful i read it n im looking forward to some more works of him!
June 6, 2023
i wrote small reviews for the two books, the trial and the castle
so this is my rating for the short stories basically. i think kafka for me worked better with the short stories because he managed to captivate my interest without making the whole point kind of dull like it happened at least for me in the trial and mostly in the castle
however, the “story” that got to me the most was his letter to his father because through that we can see how much this relationship affected his writing and his whole life. it was so sad seeing how he never truly felt free in his life and how much all this hindered his growth mentally
(also a little concerning how i could see traits of his father in a close relative of mine)
my advice to anyone attempting to read kafka would be to dig a little to his life first to understand his stories as much as they can, because he truly is a curious to understand author
i need to buy a copy of the book containing his other letters now. i’m more enamored with the real words of kafka rather than just his stories
so this is my rating for the short stories basically. i think kafka for me worked better with the short stories because he managed to captivate my interest without making the whole point kind of dull like it happened at least for me in the trial and mostly in the castle
however, the “story” that got to me the most was his letter to his father because through that we can see how much this relationship affected his writing and his whole life. it was so sad seeing how he never truly felt free in his life and how much all this hindered his growth mentally
(also a little concerning how i could see traits of his father in a close relative of mine)
my advice to anyone attempting to read kafka would be to dig a little to his life first to understand his stories as much as they can, because he truly is a curious to understand author
i need to buy a copy of the book containing his other letters now. i’m more enamored with the real words of kafka rather than just his stories
March 30, 2023
*3.5 stars*
Kafka was kinda dissapointing, but I guess I still liked it. He's confusing...
ANYWAY! Kafka, oh Kafka, Franzie Schwanzie Kafka, I had SUCH high hopes for you, you know, nightmares and shit. And what did you do with it, dear Franzie Schwanzie Kafka, you let me down! You treated my hopes like they were but a mere unimportant insect, you stabbed them in the heart with a knife and then twisted it. You killed my hopes. Like a dog! It's not your fault though...
Part I: It's not his fault though
Although I didn't enjoy The Castle and The Trial (they were just hard to get through, but I still got 50 pages a day in) it's not his fault. As for Metamorphosis, Letter To My Father and some other shorter stories, we'll get to that later, but first this. I just feel like Kafka was trying to tell me something the whole time in both The Castle and The Trial, but something didn't make sense. It was off. You know why? Wanna know why that is?! WANNA KNOW WHY THAT IS?! Well, the reason they felt incomplete and thus were harder to get through was that they WERE in fact incomplete and you simply can't enjoy something unless the writer's entire vision has been conveyed. As for The Trial, it was puzzled together by his friend and editor with the result of a story that looks finished at first glance, but feels off during further examination. Now, as for the meaning of it, it's just that bureaucracy is stupid and the main character thus feels lost in the world. That's it.
Now, The Castle is a bit different and by that I mean that Kafka never intended to finish it and never even finished it. It stops mid - sentence, out of nowhere. I've been writing something myself for a couple of months now, but it just was a chaotic mess, so I decided to stop and start something new. Now, imagine (actually, don't imagine, here's a link to it - mind you, it is Dutch: https://gotahalle-my.sharepoint.com/:... ) picking up my unfinished chaotic mess that stops mid - sentence, you won't like it, I'm 100% sure of that, and you won't get what I'm trying to tell you either, because IT'S A CHAOTIC MESS! That's what The Castle is, but then longer and written better and with a whole lot of dialogue. Speaking of dialogue...
Part II: Oh my fucking god, there's so much dialogue in here it's insane
One thing I noticed when reading Kafka is that he writes a LOT of dialogue. it's quite the peculiar case, because that is the MAIN way Kafka's characters get through their quests, with dialogue, looooong dialogue that doesn't seem to push the plot forward that much, especially in The Castle, but again, that was unfinished, you can't blame the guy. The dialogue is good, sure, but it's empty. It's useless in a way. I mean, don't get me wrong, if there's one thing Kafka can do, it's pull some long ass monologue out of his ass that is seemingly unrelated to the main character's quest in any way, shape or form. It's just like Tolstoy and his realism, it isn't enjoyable, but he's perfected it, so it's fine. Totally fine!
I guess in the stories Kafka actually finished, his long – ass dialogues disappear a bit more and it does also depend on the plot. If you’ve got a well thought – out plot AND your plot doesn’t really allow for that much long dialogue (like Metamorphosis), you’re not gonna see as much dialogue. I mean, dialogue is still a relatively big part of EVERY piece of fictional literature, pretty much, but it’s just that Kafka REALLY liked often quasi – plotless and extremely long dialogue and used it very often when he could. But not in the shit that was actually well thought – out though.
Part III: The shit that was actually well thought – out
I was kinda desperate for Kafka to get better after the awfully mediocre and weird ‘I – have – no – idea – what – you’re – trying – to – say’ stories from The Trial and The Castle. It got SLIGHTLY better with Metamorphosis, The Judgement, In The Penal Colony etc. Why? Why does Kafka just get slightly better out of nowhere. Well, his metaphors (the part where he’s trying to say something) got clearer and it everything was a bit cleaner overall. The protagonist doesn’t just wander around in the Land of the Plotless Bullshit for 200 pages, it’s just clean. Something happens or is about to happen, just a LITTLE tiny bit of context and then we see what happens. That’s it. It’s CLEAN.
Just comes back to knowing what you want. If your artistic vision is clear, everything’s gonna be way better. It’s just weird they included these stories where Kafka didn’t even know himself what he wanted, the quality of the stories will of course deteriorate then. That’s it. Ok, conclusion time.
Part IV: Conclusion
I’m tired. It’s fine, the quality is impacted by the inclusion of two unfinished stories, but I get it, it’s fine. They’re two of his most important stories and they’re two of his longest works. Just know that if you’re gonna wanna read it, it can come off as boring and chaotic at first, but it’s getting better when you get to Metamorphosis. Kafka was…. fine. I still need to finish two of George Orwell’s essays bundled with 1984 AND I need to start The Karamazov Brothers, which I really look forward to.
Have a good rest of your day or whatever. Bye!
Kafka was kinda dissapointing, but I guess I still liked it. He's confusing...
ANYWAY! Kafka, oh Kafka, Franzie Schwanzie Kafka, I had SUCH high hopes for you, you know, nightmares and shit. And what did you do with it, dear Franzie Schwanzie Kafka, you let me down! You treated my hopes like they were but a mere unimportant insect, you stabbed them in the heart with a knife and then twisted it. You killed my hopes. Like a dog! It's not your fault though...
Part I: It's not his fault though
Although I didn't enjoy The Castle and The Trial (they were just hard to get through, but I still got 50 pages a day in) it's not his fault. As for Metamorphosis, Letter To My Father and some other shorter stories, we'll get to that later, but first this. I just feel like Kafka was trying to tell me something the whole time in both The Castle and The Trial, but something didn't make sense. It was off. You know why? Wanna know why that is?! WANNA KNOW WHY THAT IS?! Well, the reason they felt incomplete and thus were harder to get through was that they WERE in fact incomplete and you simply can't enjoy something unless the writer's entire vision has been conveyed. As for The Trial, it was puzzled together by his friend and editor with the result of a story that looks finished at first glance, but feels off during further examination. Now, as for the meaning of it, it's just that bureaucracy is stupid and the main character thus feels lost in the world. That's it.
Now, The Castle is a bit different and by that I mean that Kafka never intended to finish it and never even finished it. It stops mid - sentence, out of nowhere. I've been writing something myself for a couple of months now, but it just was a chaotic mess, so I decided to stop and start something new. Now, imagine (actually, don't imagine, here's a link to it - mind you, it is Dutch: https://gotahalle-my.sharepoint.com/:... ) picking up my unfinished chaotic mess that stops mid - sentence, you won't like it, I'm 100% sure of that, and you won't get what I'm trying to tell you either, because IT'S A CHAOTIC MESS! That's what The Castle is, but then longer and written better and with a whole lot of dialogue. Speaking of dialogue...
Part II: Oh my fucking god, there's so much dialogue in here it's insane
One thing I noticed when reading Kafka is that he writes a LOT of dialogue. it's quite the peculiar case, because that is the MAIN way Kafka's characters get through their quests, with dialogue, looooong dialogue that doesn't seem to push the plot forward that much, especially in The Castle, but again, that was unfinished, you can't blame the guy. The dialogue is good, sure, but it's empty. It's useless in a way. I mean, don't get me wrong, if there's one thing Kafka can do, it's pull some long ass monologue out of his ass that is seemingly unrelated to the main character's quest in any way, shape or form. It's just like Tolstoy and his realism, it isn't enjoyable, but he's perfected it, so it's fine. Totally fine!
I guess in the stories Kafka actually finished, his long – ass dialogues disappear a bit more and it does also depend on the plot. If you’ve got a well thought – out plot AND your plot doesn’t really allow for that much long dialogue (like Metamorphosis), you’re not gonna see as much dialogue. I mean, dialogue is still a relatively big part of EVERY piece of fictional literature, pretty much, but it’s just that Kafka REALLY liked often quasi – plotless and extremely long dialogue and used it very often when he could. But not in the shit that was actually well thought – out though.
Part III: The shit that was actually well thought – out
I was kinda desperate for Kafka to get better after the awfully mediocre and weird ‘I – have – no – idea – what – you’re – trying – to – say’ stories from The Trial and The Castle. It got SLIGHTLY better with Metamorphosis, The Judgement, In The Penal Colony etc. Why? Why does Kafka just get slightly better out of nowhere. Well, his metaphors (the part where he’s trying to say something) got clearer and it everything was a bit cleaner overall. The protagonist doesn’t just wander around in the Land of the Plotless Bullshit for 200 pages, it’s just clean. Something happens or is about to happen, just a LITTLE tiny bit of context and then we see what happens. That’s it. It’s CLEAN.
Just comes back to knowing what you want. If your artistic vision is clear, everything’s gonna be way better. It’s just weird they included these stories where Kafka didn’t even know himself what he wanted, the quality of the stories will of course deteriorate then. That’s it. Ok, conclusion time.
Part IV: Conclusion
I’m tired. It’s fine, the quality is impacted by the inclusion of two unfinished stories, but I get it, it’s fine. They’re two of his most important stories and they’re two of his longest works. Just know that if you’re gonna wanna read it, it can come off as boring and chaotic at first, but it’s getting better when you get to Metamorphosis. Kafka was…. fine. I still need to finish two of George Orwell’s essays bundled with 1984 AND I need to start The Karamazov Brothers, which I really look forward to.
Have a good rest of your day or whatever. Bye!
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