Reviews

The Trial by Franz Kafka

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zaisgraph's review against another edition

dark funny reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

After enjoying The Metamorphosis and The Penal Colony, I felt ready to dive into a full-length Kafka and.....

Yeah, I did not enjoy this one. The Trial isn't exactly tantalizing literature even if I tend to be forgiving towards leaps in logic, random unheralded character arcs and actions for books that fall under the surreal umbrella... but there is just too much to forgive in this one... I mean early on there's a totally unnecessary sexual assault cmonnnnn...

The Trial isn't a complete disaster though the beginning was very promising. It was a super interesting premise you know being charged with a secret felony and not getting incarcerated... The end is also quite memorable and a powerful metaphor about the loss of human dignity. The short story contained here is also a massive highlight (I wish the rest of the book was like it)

Incredibly boring, The Trial certainly did not meet my lofty expectations because I hold Kafka in such high regard. Maybe this one should've stayed in the vault orrrrr Maybe Franz is just a gifted short story writer like O. Henry? I dunno.

All the being said, my biggest takeaway here is that we live in a society wherein government institutions that were created by man supposedly for our benefit, protection, and progress (?) has transformed to something so far and unrecognizable that their original purpose is lost/bastardized? Genuinely curious how others interpret this. 2.5 stars

hana_kah's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

After thinking about this book I liked it more then afzer just finishing it. I think it‘s a book you need to reread a few times to really get it. But I enjoyed the writig style and will for sure pick up anlther of kafkas books