19.8k reviews for:

La Metamorfosis

Franz Kafka

3.68 AVERAGE

sad medium-paced

a wonderful and bittersweet story, I adore Kafka’s writing style
emotional mysterious fast-paced
dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

To all the „good girls" who love to see a guy turn into a bug... 𝓘 𝓰𝓸𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾.
dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Me

My very first audiobook, listened to while cramming a midterm. I had no expectations going in as I have zero knowledge about Kafka and his writing. I found myself pleasantly surprised. I was laughing out loud at the descriptions of Gregor’s buglike features. The absurdity is treated with a straightforward comedy, which fantastically contrasts the reality of the situation: his family's abandonment of him despite all his sacrifices for them and his permanently debilitating disease that only allows him a life of isolation. It comes to a point that they hope or plan for his death, as it is hindering their lives. His death is portrayed as a fresh new start for the family, with them riding a tram and making plans. Kafka asks: when we have become a burden, per se, when have we overstayed our welcome? is it still living if that is how we live, and is it better to die and let others live happily?

Another point Kafka highlights is the absurd over-importance we place on work culture in daily life, especially in the face of personal tragedy. At the end of the day, we are just cogs in the machine--and will be treated as such. Hence, it would do us good to find purpose aside from work.

A very enjoyable read. I'd love to read more Kafka.

challenging mysterious sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

the metamorphosis by franz kafka is an amusing commentary on life, or rather, its ridiculousness. the fact that the people in gregor's life are entirely unquestioning of his transformation is thoroughly humorous. it was a fun read and made me appreciate the odd, fun parts of living. there's a lot to appreciate in the mundane.