Reviews

The Trial by Franz Kafka

etiennevdgraaf's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective 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

4.25

alexcirtal's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad 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

3.75

sonnetson's review against another edition

challenging dark funny mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

It's incredible what Kafka was able to pull off in these unfinished novels. His imaginative capacity is unreal, as is his ability to pinpoint existential terror without directly comment on it. There's something poetic and dreamlike about the worlds Kafka constructs and the characters he pushes through them. Everyone seems to understand what is going on except for K. and the reader—even if what is understood is that it can't be understood. I think that's the brilliance of Kafka's novels, and The Trial in particular: he manages to graft the experience of the character exploring these impossible scenarios onto the reader. As K. searches, so do we. 

evantmellon's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

3.25

bookzfanatic007's review against another edition

4.0

"Kafka's portrayal of Josef's struggle against unjust bureaucracy in 'The Trial' is compelling and frightening. It remains true even in today's world, where the innocent can be tortured in the name of the law. The themes of alienation and estrangement from reality are depicted in such a way that we can feel Josef's anguish against the oppressive system. However, while everything leading up to it is perfect, the ending feels abrupt and rushed. This detracts from the overall impact of the narrative. Nevertheless, 'The Trial' is definitely worth a read for its profound exploration of societal injustice."

Read TIme-5 hours and 1 hour 21 minutes

kaceyymair's review against another edition

3.0

Some interesting takes and conclusions on the law (deffo would’ve helped with my diss), and I enjoyed the fantastical and nightmarish qualities, I just wish that there was more depth on all the characters (including K.)

youngthespian42's review against another edition

3.0

Good, not great. If this is the only Kafka you plan to read stick to the short stories. Was really engaged with plot and character for the first half but then the book dragged on. There is a tight Novella/novelette here.

basketballbooklover's review against another edition

Boring, too slow

tobyj416's review against another edition

Wasn’t in the mood

phedudu's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5