Franz Kafka was born in Prague in 1883 to a middle-class German-speaking Jewish family of Czech descent. His writing often features bizarre or surreal situations, and the term Kafkaesque is commonly used to describe anything absurd. Kafka was known to be riddled with self-doubt and destroyed much of what he wrote, but not all. His other noteworthy books include The Trial and The Castle.
Franz Kafka Books
- 1
The Metamorphosis
Franz Kafka
A Novella on the Effects of Alienation on the Mind and Body
4.5 (150 ratings)
Listen to the Intro00:00What's The Metamorphosis about?
The Metamorphosis (1915) is an allegorical novella about what happens when the main character, Gregor Samsa, is transformed into a bug. It grapples with the themes of alienation, the absurdity of life, and the power of change.
Who should read The Metamorphosis?
- Anyone interested in a compelling short story classic
- People struggling with the absurdity of life or the feeling of alienation
- Students of twentieth-century literature
- 2
Listen to the Intro00:00What's The Trial about?
The Trial ( 1925 ) tells the distressing story of Josef K. who wakes up one morning to find he’s under arrest for an unnamed offense. As cryptic legal proceedings unfold around him, K. struggles to make sense of his predicament or convince others of his innocence. It’s a disturbing parable that raises philosophical questions about personal dignity and free will when pitted against entrenched bureaucracies.
Who should read The Trial?
- People who appreciate surreal, disorienting stories
- Readers and listeners grappling with existential questions
- Anyone who feels alienated from bureaucracy