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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
Honestly, I cannot understand the slightest how this book has so many positive reviews. I think it is terrible.
I read it in school several years ago in the original language (german) and if I wasn't forces by my teacher to read it I would probably not have finished it.
First of all, all of these miserable incidents that protagonist Karl goes through are an absolute mystery to me. These situations are so far away from reality and actually all the same just taking place in different settings with different people. The pattern is always the same: something bad happens, everyone thinks it is Karls fault even though it isn't, he leaves the place and stumbles into the next unfortunate situation.
So far, so good, this alone could be acceptable. But what makes it an absolute pain in the arse is that Karl is the most unlikable character ever. I could not gain any sympathy for him and his stupid way of always accepting his fate without even trying to fight for a better life made me extremely aggressive. I wanted to scream at Karl for being such a passive idiot.
To summerize my opinion: Terrible plot, terrible protagonist, good writing style (but not my taste). Please don't waste your time on this if you have a hard time dealing with dumb protagonists, this will absolutely not be the book for you.
I read it in school several years ago in the original language (german) and if I wasn't forces by my teacher to read it I would probably not have finished it.
First of all, all of these miserable incidents that protagonist Karl goes through are an absolute mystery to me. These situations are so far away from reality and actually all the same just taking place in different settings with different people. The pattern is always the same: something bad happens, everyone thinks it is Karls fault even though it isn't, he leaves the place and stumbles into the next unfortunate situation.
So far, so good, this alone could be acceptable. But what makes it an absolute pain in the arse is that Karl is the most unlikable character ever. I could not gain any sympathy for him and his stupid way of always accepting his fate without even trying to fight for a better life made me extremely aggressive. I wanted to scream at Karl for being such a passive idiot.
To summerize my opinion: Terrible plot, terrible protagonist, good writing style (but not my taste). Please don't waste your time on this if you have a hard time dealing with dumb protagonists, this will absolutely not be the book for you.
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Karl Roßmanns alptraumhafte Odysee durch Amerika.
The American dream isn’t all it’s cracked up to be in this Franz Kafka novel.
As an introduction to Kafka I thought it was decently well written and had an interesting story line. I can only imagine the improvements of the work had Kafka finished the novel in his lifetime and had time to rewrite and edit the novel. As it is the novel has a few interesting quirks pointed out in the preface, like a bridge between Boston (whoop) and New York City, and what appear as the Rocky Mountains just outside of New York City (between NYC and Oklahoma). I’m definitely interested in reading more of Kafka. I have The Metamorphosis on my Kindle, so maybe I’ll get to it soon.
Without knowing how Kafka meant to end the book, one can only surmise on the lessons the novel appears to teach. From the hardship of his forced immigration to the US by his parents, to the abandonment by his uncle, and the indentured servitude to his friends, the protagonist, Karl Rossman has a tough time in America.
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
As an introduction to Kafka I thought it was decently well written and had an interesting story line. I can only imagine the improvements of the work had Kafka finished the novel in his lifetime and had time to rewrite and edit the novel. As it is the novel has a few interesting quirks pointed out in the preface, like a bridge between Boston (whoop) and New York City, and what appear as the Rocky Mountains just outside of New York City (between NYC and Oklahoma). I’m definitely interested in reading more of Kafka. I have The Metamorphosis on my Kindle, so maybe I’ll get to it soon.
Without knowing how Kafka meant to end the book, one can only surmise on the lessons the novel appears to teach. From the hardship of his forced immigration to the US by his parents, to the abandonment by his uncle, and the indentured servitude to his friends, the protagonist, Karl Rossman has a tough time in America.
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a strange one. Not yet very Kafkaesque, but rather surreal, like the dreams I sometimes have, tumbling from one scene into another.
I felt like Karl was more an observer of the fate he is going through than an actor, never really taking matters into his own hands.
That was a bit frustrating and also the fact that the book suddenly
Spoiler
In many scenes, Karl was trying hard (but usually failing) not to get lost: aboard the ship, inside Pollunder's house, inside the hotel Occidental and even in the streets outside Brunelda's house. He also seems to always make the wrong assumptions about everyone. The man is beyond help.I felt like Karl was more an observer of the fate he is going through than an actor, never really taking matters into his own hands.
That was a bit frustrating and also the fact that the book suddenly
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pretty interesting book. This edition goes back to the original manuscript prior to Max Brod's editing and is a recent re-translation. Fascinating story about someone coming to America and descending further into the undergrowth of society. Wish he had finished it.
overall i like the book and enjoyed the plot for all its randomness i expected. although i think the novel was quite short and the two fragments only gave me a bit more insight into the novel. i wish i was able to still read about karl and learn more about his endeavors but that was what made this book successful; im still asking for more which is a great sign i like it. i felt i could place myself in his shoes although im not a foreigner but that i will soon be off on my own (at 17 yrs old as well) and reading this book almost every night at college made me feel even more connected. it was a great comfort book.