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worstarchitect's review against another edition
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
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
enchantedteapot's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
camstipated's review against another edition
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
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.”
“So then you’re free?’
‘Yes, I’m free,’ said Karl, and nothing seemed more worthless than his freedom.”
timmytoenail69's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The reputation of this novel as unique in Kafka’s oeuvre as a lighthearted and positive story is indeed accurate. I have not read Kafka’s letter to his father yet, but having read the Metamorphosis and his diaries, Rossmann’s adventure seems to reflect a lot more the ideal that Kafka wished he could fulfil. In a rather Freudian sense, America represents the superego for Kafka: a hard-working man whose resilience affords him fortune in the face of somewhat bizarre and certainly uncontrollable misfortunes. It is a shame that is was left unfinished, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable book that managed to explore the same Kafkaesque themes in the total opposite way.
charliekusiel's review against another edition
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.
kingofblades113's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0