5.38k reviews for:

The Trial

Franz Kafka

3.71 AVERAGE

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
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

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.
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

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.
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

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.
challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
challenging mysterious reflective medium-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: Yes
dark funny inspiring mysterious medium-paced
challenging reflective slow-paced

probably the most boring book i’ve ever read 

pretty cool story bro