A review by _sal_
Amerika by Franz Kafka

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.”