The Metamorphosis
Product ID: 13743109
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The Metamorphosis, first published in 1915, is the most famous of Kafka's works, along with The Trial and The Castle. The story begins when a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect. Curiously, his condition does not arouse surprise in his family, who merely despise it as an impending burden. As with all of Kafka's works, The Metamorphosis is open to a wide range of interpretations. Most obvious are themes relating to society's treatment of those who are different, the loneliness of isolation, and the absurdity of the human condition. Newly designed and typeset in a modern 5.5-by-8.5-inch format by Waking Lion Press. Review: still very sad - The first time I read this was almost 40 years ago , this week my son wanted to discuss it and I decided to re- read it. It is still the most moving and poignant short stories I have ever read and admittedly reading it as an adult gave me a different perspective. I encourage anyone to revisit their high school or college reads, they are even better the second (or third ) time. Review: Classic - An odd and interesting story. I gave it four stars, not only because I found it an entertaining story but also because of its literary importance. So many interpretations over the years. I viewed it as social comment. Another interesting view is that the metamorphosis refers to the change in Grete, not Gregor. I read that Kafka wanted no illustrations of Gregor. Leaving the reader to his own imagination. Regardless of the "correct" interpretation, I recommend the story for anyone interested in Kafka's work.
| Best Sellers Rank | #227,445 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #908 in Classic Literature & Fiction #6,289 in Fantasy (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.1 out of 5 stars 200 Reviews |
A**.
still very sad
The first time I read this was almost 40 years ago , this week my son wanted to discuss it and I decided to re- read it. It is still the most moving and poignant short stories I have ever read and admittedly reading it as an adult gave me a different perspective. I encourage anyone to revisit their high school or college reads, they are even better the second (or third ) time.
J**N
Classic
An odd and interesting story. I gave it four stars, not only because I found it an entertaining story but also because of its literary importance. So many interpretations over the years. I viewed it as social comment. Another interesting view is that the metamorphosis refers to the change in Grete, not Gregor. I read that Kafka wanted no illustrations of Gregor. Leaving the reader to his own imagination. Regardless of the "correct" interpretation, I recommend the story for anyone interested in Kafka's work.
K**R
Deeply thought provoking, with mind twisting meanings.
What seem on the surface to be a cute little story about a man turning into a bug takes on greater depth when you ask: who is the head of the family and who was before, who is the prisoner and who was the prisoners before this metamorphosis? Sometimes the monster sees themself as the hero.
F**S
The metamorphosis
A really strange book by Franz Kafka
A**O
Dark humor?
The story may be a little confusing to novices with English, but overall it's a very simple novel to follow and read. Kafka uses a lot of depressing, dark humor throughout, so it's sometimes hard to know if we the readers are supposed to be laughing or feeling bad for the characters. I would recommend as a read, since it's so short, but it's not going to fall anywhere near my "favorites" bin anytime soon.
T**R
Happy with the product and love the story
We live backed up to a wooded area so my SO and I have run-ins with large water bugs often. The other night, while we were sleeping, one fell on my SO's back and we both had quite a fright. We even believed he had been bit because it had fallen hard. After that we have had a running joke that he is turning into a water bug. I read this Kafka short story in one of my college lit classes and really loved it. Years later, the incident with the water bug on the bed made me think of the story again, so I bought it and gave it to my SO. We had a good laugh and he is re-reading the story for the first time since college. Very happy with the book, the cover illustrations and the seller.
S**C
Good idea, but no follow through
I went to my local library and asked what books do you have that are more like The Moon People and not so much like all this other so called literater. Can you believe it!?! The lirarian had NEVER HEARD OF The Moon People! So I explained that I like it when the whole premise of the book is explaned in the first page because just like my airplane tickets say where I am going right there on the front when I am going on a trip a book should too. Only here we are going on a journey OF THE MIND. I said it just like that and the librarian just kind of stared at me. "Um maybe youd like Frank Capra's The Metamorphisis" she said after a long pause. "OK!" So I went to find it and after some confusion about how to spell the authers name (it's Kapra with a "K") I finally did. Theres a picture of a bug on the cover. I dont like bugs. The first line is something like "Gregory Sampson woke up one morning and he had been turned into a giant monster bug." Well as I said I dont like bugs but stories about bugs I am okay with. We can work with this. Its definitely direct in any case. No beating around the bush for Mr Kapra. Straight to the punch! Plus! my mind was filled with questions! What turned Gregory into a bug? Does he have super powers now? Is this part of a big multinational conspiracy? Are people turning into bugs all over the place? How will he turn back into a man by maybe useing science? This is called drawing your reader into the story. Good trick. I almost gotta read it now just to see. Fast forward to the end of this book (SPOILER ALERT)and NONE of my questions are answered. I STILL dont know why was he a bug in the first place. GRRRR. What a jip! I think there are some good ideas in here but it needs more work especially with the ending. He should turn back into a man or else he should meet another bug and fall in love and decide that hes happier liveing as a beetle. Theres some free ideas for you Mr Kapra for your next book! Not all bad. I liked some parts! THREE STARS!
J**D
Interesting and held my attention. Though I tried to ...
Interesting and held my attention. Though I tried to imagine what actual kinds of changes the main character went through, I really could not visualize the bug he says he had become.
S**Í
Brilliant
It's brilliant!
J**S
Interesting read
This is the first time I've picked a Franz Kafka book and it's quite fascinating. It will take time for us to get absorbed.
M**M
Five Stars
Amazing piece of literature
D**X
Incomplete
A frustrating story that could have been written or ended in a different way to give satisfaction to the reader.
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
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