Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - The Metamorphosis

Kafka’s writing style is beautiful, which makes up for the slow and often boring topics because he can make anything more interesting. Otherwise it would have been a painful read. In theory, it was a cool idea to have a man that turns into a bug, but the plot was very repetitive and not much happened other than the reader feeling bad for Gregor when his family is more or less bullying him.

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gabriella_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This ripping my heart out and stomped on it. It broke me. I know the obvious themes in this reflect on ableism but it also makes me think of caretaking more broadly (including eldercare and dementia) and it was just so tragic. I love the protagonist, he was so lovable and I almost cried multiple times reading this.

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wuthrinheights's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I first read this story for my class and I read it again almost immediately. Today I reread it after years of not coming in contact with it, and I think it was better when I first read it.

The Metamorphosis was a strange, sad and almost funny (in a way that you pity him so much, you almost want to laugh at its absurdity) story.

I couldn't help but feel that it was more than just a nonsensical fictional story, that it was symbolic of his own life. It felt a bit too personal, as if Kafka himself woke up one day feeling like a monster who disappointed his family, in which their confusion, fear, and worries quickly turned to resentment. My heart goes out to Kafka, I hope he's resting peacefully.

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