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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Legitimately nightmarish. Set in a world where everything my anxiety disorder tells me is actually true and real. Funny. Scary. Dense.
Since the last three books that I read either mentioned or quoted Kafka, I thought it worth revisiting his works. I think that unfortunately some double entendres are necessarily lost in the translation. I was reflecting on why the women characters in 'the trial' are particularly unidimensional (the age and culture of his times) and could only vaguely remember some of his romantic interests that were highlighted at the Kafka Museum in Prague (I remember distinctly thinking that Kafka was a man who was "messed up" with respect to women). In any case, I found this story to be a little long for the intended message.
I definitely felt an inappropriate amount of respect towards Franz Kafka before reading this. I mean, yes some of his sentences are long but it's still fairly easy to follow. And really not that scary or intimidating.
To be honest, this book was actually kind of amusing and even though slightly boring, too - I understand why it's a classic of world (and not only German) literature.
However, it's hard to really get sucked into the story and feel with the main character - but I guess that is kind of intentional with Joseph K. staying pretty anonymous after all.
To be honest, this book was actually kind of amusing and even though slightly boring, too - I understand why it's a classic of world (and not only German) literature.
However, it's hard to really get sucked into the story and feel with the main character - but I guess that is kind of intentional with Joseph K. staying pretty anonymous after all.
Kafka and his books are like weird people you meet in life. Sometimes you gain great perspective from listening to them. Sometimes you’re just left with an estranged feeling and confusion. Reading the process is the latter. Or to say it in German: is mir nix
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Kafka, Kafka, Kafka...
Wow! As always when I finish your works, I'm thinking, what???
Wow! As always when I finish your works, I'm thinking, what???
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cleverly mirrored yet dredgingly repetitive scenes, frustratingly hypocritical yet comedic characters and a dreary atmosphere of complete hopelessness, Kafka ensures the reader suffers just as much as the protagonist in this nuanced commentary on bureaucracy.
There were parts of this that I really liked, but some other parts were a real trial (cough, cough).
This novel does convey hopelessness, absurdity, and emptiness very well in many parts. Unfortunately, though the book is short, it digresses too frequently for my tastes. There were long passages I basically just skimmed for lack of interest. Most of the symbolism went right over my head, too.
Still, many long parts were great: darkly comic, absurdist, and nightmarish. Maybe reading an analysis online will deepen my appreciation for this novel.
This novel does convey hopelessness, absurdity, and emptiness very well in many parts. Unfortunately, though the book is short, it digresses too frequently for my tastes. There were long passages I basically just skimmed for lack of interest. Most of the symbolism went right over my head, too.
Still, many long parts were great: darkly comic, absurdist, and nightmarish. Maybe reading an analysis online will deepen my appreciation for this novel.