Reviews

Amerika by Franz Kafka

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minkkmuse's review against another edition

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funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

the horrors, trials, and absurdity of the (im)migration experience

amsiepamsie's review

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

2.5

Content Warnings

Better than the trial. Karl is definitely one of the more interesting protagonists in Kafka's work, very sensitive but also relentless like all the others. As always for Kafka the best thing about this novel is the way characters communicate with one another. Stoker scene so good.

alexander_smirzitz's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

camstipated's review

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slow-paced

3.25

Very dull and slow, but the end is such a Hellish and interesting domestic situation that the setup might be considered worthwhile

_sal_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Kafka himself called this his American Story, which it very much is. He was undoubtedly drawn by the American dream despite never having visited the US himself. The Man Who Disappeared its original title is apt for what happens to Karl at the end of the novel he finally cuts his ties with everything and everyone who ever held him back and was visibly or (readily) happier at the end. This as Kafka said is his lighter novel compared to his other works and I agree with this. We do not see the darkness from other novels and the setting calls for rather humorous escapades that honestly read a lot to me like a Steinbeck or Arthurian story.

“So then you’re free?’
‘Yes, I’m free,’ said Karl, and nothing seemed more worthless than his freedom.”

charliekusiel's review against another edition

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Where Josef K. is locked into the never-ending abuse of the system (as an established businessman), Karl Rossmann is locked out of it (as a teenage immigrant). Inverse stories.