Reviews

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

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yashashwani's review against another edition

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3.0

Love how Kafka brings to the table the weirdest plots in the nicest way to talk about life.

ak_literarybuzz's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was mentioned in an interview by one of my favorite artists, and it has been on my radar ever since(as I never get into classics but read this, only because he said, lol!!!). Finally, it arrived at my house last week, and guess what? That day, I read it all in one sitting.

What a metaphorical plot!
It is tough for everyone to understand such a bizarre premise of the story of one suddenly becoming a cockroach, but the unstated depth that is depicted is astounding.
It easily discussed basic and profound questions of human existence, such as alienation, identity, and the fight one faces under societal pressure and I fell in love with the narration, classics are hard to come by, but this one will live on in my heart for a long time.
I really wish that everyone gets to read this book at least once in their lifetime.

lukarounddd's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

livelaughliterature's review against another edition

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4.5

if the roles were reversed, how long would I truly be tolerated? how much of my worth and my humanity is determined by what I give of myself and what I provide? how long until I am reviled and left to fester in the dirt and dark like a cockroach

ylbirda's review against another edition

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2.0

Da ich erst mit 22 Kafkas Verwandlung gelesen habe finde ich ein bisschen zu spät (da ich aus Prag bin und Kafka ist mittlerweile zu einer Pragerlegende geworden). Ich kann mit Kafkas Schloß vergleichen (da passiert erstmal nichts) und dann ist die Verwandlung eine nette Geschichte. Am Anfang fand ich das noch interessant wie der Gregor behandelt wurde, aber zum Schluss fandi ch das einfach nur langweilig.
Wenn man noch was über Kafkas Leben weißt, kann man sich nicht wundern was für Geschichten er geschrieben hat.
Ich verstehe einfach gar nicht der Fanzination mit Kafka.

b00k15hwyrm's review against another edition

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4.5

#ReadHarder2024

-Read a book in translation from a country you’ve never visited-

Today (2024, August 18) I finished the audiobook Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, translation by Ian Johnston and narrated by David Richardson. The story starts off with Gregor Samsa waking up one day to find out he transformed into a “monstrous, verminous bug” and that he is late for work. The audiobook spans 2 hours and 34 minutes.

For unexplainable reasons, Gregor wakes up one day and finds out he is giant bug. In the midst of his panicking, Gregor was having a short back and forth with himself on whether to call in sick- which he says wouldn’t have worked since he had never been sick at work before. He then starts lamenting about his job and the stress that comes with it from being the only financial provider for his parents and younger sister.

My favorite part without a doubt is after his manager shows up at Gregor’s apartment- they noticed Gregor was late to work -and it’s revealed to Mr. Manager and Gregor’s parents that Gregor was a giant bug, the manager makes a “uuuuhhhhhhhuuu??????” Sound which was really funny during the audiobook. Alongside that, I liked when Gregor was (trying) to talk to Mr. Manager about his situation and requesting he put a good word in for Gregor back at the workplace, but 2 problems with that: 1, Gregor can only make inhuman hissing sounds; 2, Mr. Manager made intense eye contact with Gregor’s bug form while he walked backwards to the door before running.

I’d recommend this story to those that like absurdist tales with social commentary on the workplace and caretaking; a melancholy story about change; and the ultimate, “would you still love me if I were an [insect] plot. I’d give this story a 4.5/5.