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jacksanders02 's review for:
Amerika
by Franz Kafka
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An interesting read, commenting on the impossibility of the "American dream" for one who truly has nothing but a suitcase - its exact target demographic.
However, perhaps as a consequence of this, Karl never really remains in one place for long enough for him to develop any meaningful relationships. Every time it seems as though he's got a stable job, it and his possessions are wrested from him through some cruel turn of fate (usually brought about by his own actions, which in turn are usually borne out of kindness - such as helping Robinson).
That said, it is a shame that the story was never finished; the final disjointed fragment about the Oklahoma Theatre was gearing up to be an interesting one, and I'd be intrigued to see where this employment takes Karl (in spite of Kafka's questionable choice of nickname for him).
Overall, a decent novel - although far more straightforward than Metamorphosis, and therefore lacking in the absurdity that I loved so much in that story.
However, perhaps as a consequence of this, Karl never really remains in one place for long enough for him to develop any meaningful relationships. Every time it seems as though he's got a stable job, it and his possessions are wrested from him through some cruel turn of fate (usually brought about by his own actions, which in turn are usually borne out of kindness - such as helping Robinson).
That said, it is a shame that the story was never finished; the final disjointed fragment about the Oklahoma Theatre was gearing up to be an interesting one, and I'd be intrigued to see where this employment takes Karl (in spite of Kafka's questionable choice of nickname for him).
Overall, a decent novel - although far more straightforward than Metamorphosis, and therefore lacking in the absurdity that I loved so much in that story.