Franz Kafka

[Inderjit S]

Any fans of Franz Kafka on this board? Want to discuss any of his works? Any people who hate him for some reason or another?

[Sarah]

How ironic. Just started to read metamorphosis for english. It's the most disgusting book i've ever read. I hate bugs.

[Morfea]

Kafka..hmmmm..he's great, but just sometimes i just loose myself while reading, because he likes to long-wind (i hope that's the word)..but on the other hand that long-winding mostly consists of completely and utterly the best descriptions..i'm not kafka expert or anything..i've read only Process and Metamorphosis..but still..i was aghasted and fascinated at both works..I find metamorphosis one of the best works ever..that coldness, the letargy, relief from worry..and the fact that nobody actually noticed that he was one huge bug..everything just facsinates..:D

[ely]

I've read his "The Trial". What can I say about it? It's not one of my very favourites but I liked it. It made me think. I consider books that make me think good, especially those that I still think about once in a while even though it's been long time since I read them. So it was good and it made me think, though it probably also gave me a headache. ;)

[Arthur_Vandelay]

I've read quite a few of his shorter works: "The Burrow", "Metamorphosis," "A Hunger Artist," "In the Penal Colony." And I have to say: two thumbs up!! Humourous and depressing all at once :)

[Inderjit S]

'The Trial' is, IMO, better then 'The Castle' (his two principal works) it is a lot more depressing, though 'The Castle' is funnier and has a better list of characters. The ubiquitous protagonist, Joseph K. is also for me, more vacuous and less annoying in 'The Trial' the K. of 'The Castle' is annoying and supercilious and quite naive too. Though, then again, both stories are unfinished, 'The Trial' is more "finished" then 'The Castle' though it does lead to interesting canonical arguments on Kafka and any fellow fastidious Tolkien-canon fans know how interesting and topical canon debates can get, everyone so sure of their truism and stubbornly rejecting arguments that negate their own view.

Looking forward to reading his shorter stories now.

Kafka may be syntaxically...exasperating at time, but that adds to the effect.

Also in 'The Castle' after Kafka waits so long to have a discussion with a employee of 'The Castle' and when he finally get's the chance he falls asleep. Hilarious! Though Burgel's speech was a bore. :rolleyes:

[Inderjit S]

I have read the English version. The German verison is prob. better, as a lot of translations are inferior to their original language versions.

[celebdraug]

I have never actually heard of him...
:(

[Maeglin]

How ironic. Just started to read metamorphosis for english. It's the most disgusting book i've ever read. I hate bugs.


How ironic that I just finished the Metamorphosis as you were starting it a few weeks ago. Anyway, I was not big fan of the Metamorphosis, it bored me to tears. However, I do see and appreciate all of the symbolism in the story, it was really deep, and I respect that a great deal, he's just not my type of writer. :(