A review by ramskick
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

adventurous challenging fast-paced

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

5.0

What an absolute blast this is. I know that’s a weird thing to say about a book that focuses on topics such as loss of humanity, alienation, poverty and parental abandonment but consuming The Metamorphosis is some of the most fun I’ve had reading in a long time. It helped that I listened to it on audiobook with a pretty good reader and a really strong translation but I really think this is just an excellent book. I’m normally not someone who notices when something is well-paced but The Metamorphosis is so strong in that category that I immediately noticed it. Nothing lingers for a sentence longer than it should. It’s very short and yet each section feels complete and by the end of the book a satisfying narrative has been told. Each character is introduced at the right time. Each vignette works on its own as well as within the complex of the overall book. Each concept is focused on for the right amount of time. It just works on every level and makes this a rare book that is both very interesting to analyze on a deep literary level while also being really fun to read from a casual perspective. So often I complain that some books are really deep but not fun to read or the other way around but this one is both. It’s just wonderful.