A 1915 novella.

After turning into a giant bug, a young man is no longer able to provide for his family.

C (Indifferent).

Depressing, to a degree that shouldn't be possible with such a weird and inherently silly premise. At least it's short.

(Dec. 2022) ( )

Perhaps I haven't read enough serious literature or maybe I don't know enough about fiction at the beginning of the 20th century, but I didn't 'get' this book. It is described as an 'allegorical' novel, but I have to ask, "An allegory of what?" It is very atmospheric and creepy for a short book, mainly because of the obvious unanswered questions: how did Samsa end up as an insect and why did the family house a monster? Instead, Samsa seemed more concerned about missing work... ( )

It is unnerving and exciting to read something that has such a profound effect on you while being so simple. It's disarming how Kafka can fit such ideas and emotions into 50 or so pages. By the end, you understand the real change discussed in the story simply because you feel it churning inside yourself. A marvelous read. ( )

Boy oh Boy, did I struggle with this. So I went to the internet searching for clarification and discovered there are as many interpretations of this book as there are legs on Gregor's new buggish body. I find it fascinating that people have been reading and discussing this book for 100 years and no one seems to have completely figured it out yet. Is it about the alienation of modern life? The Role of the individual in the family? Who can say with any degree of confidence? So this book was a conundrum for me but it has piqued my interest in Kafka. I'm not through with him yet. He had enough influence on me to leave me in a dark funk at the end of this book without really even knowing why. That intrigues me. Maybe I'll try The Trial next. ( )

Creepy crawly son
sulking in his filthy room
why won't he just die? ( )