5.43k reviews for:

The Trial

Franz Kafka

3.71 AVERAGE

emma_lynn_95's review against another edition

2.5

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

kelseyby's review against another edition

4.0

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this fever dream sure is realistic

hihahanna's review against another edition

4.0

challenging mysterious slow-paced

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

vegardkvilhaug's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark funny informative reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ionarangeley's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

kino_der_strokin's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad 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

lilleo98's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

azita's review against another edition

5.0

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Now that I've finished the book, I regret that I didn't invest the time at the beginning to create a separate entry for the edition I have read instead of tagging along with the existing Muir translation entry. I read the brilliant Breon Mitchell’s translation, which made all the difference. I suspect this is one of the main reasons that The Trial has become my favorite Kafka's work so far.

sovennix's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark mysterious tense 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

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Truly I now understand the meaning of Kafkaesque with this. The book felt like it followed the logic of a dream, where specifics matter less than the mood it creates. A fascinating read that I would only recommend if only to hear other's thoughts on it.

nyootnyoot's review against another edition

4.0

mysterious reflective 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

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To be honest,  I don't really feel qualified to review this book, and it was definitely a trial to get through it. Kafka does a wonderful job at handling the absurdity of the whole court process and all the bureaucracy, as well as showing how the tension and unease of the trial starts to dominate K's life. Not an enjoyable read, but a thought provoking one nonetheless.