Metamorphosis Paperback – January 1, 2014

This book is an abrupt short story that is engaging from start to finish. The story is surreal yet the main character Gregor is completely relatable. The story starts out as funny, but grows sadder and sadder until the ending, which admittedly is strange enough to be the ending of a Sundance film. Honestly, if this book had come out a few years later it could've been an artistic surrealist cartoon. This is one of those speculative frictions that doesn't actually explain why something is happening, only that it is. Franz Kafka explains how turning into a roach would affect Gregor in a way that is understandable, sympathetic, yet well researched. It feels like the story is an allegory for something, yet is so dedicated to its premise that it's difficult to say what the allegory is. Overall, I would recommend this story for those that like the modern abrupt method of storytelling, who like strangeness, and who like to cry. Seriously, this one is depressing despite it's moments of levity.

You could see this as an allegory for disability, really. It can strike suddenly and without warning, only to entirely and irrevocably alter your entire life and the lives of those around you. From being the main support to the one needing to be supported, the transition can come in a flash. Gregor was mistreated and eventually hated by his family who he had loved and provided for for years. They spared few thoughts for his own health and well being beyond the barest minimum. Rather than putting in the effort to even try to communicate with him, they assumed him nonhuman and incapable of language. Gregor however, was forced to experience his family's hardship in ultra detail, privy to many conversations he was allowed to hear and many that he wasn't meant to. At the same time his quality of life sharply declined, he had to overhear his family wishing he would go away. So he did. Alone, injured, weak, and with no one left in the world who loved him truly, Gregor died. He was unceremoniously gawked at and discarded, and his family breathed a sigh of relief then got on with their lives. This story is a tragedy. A little rambly at times, it's a painfully vivid metaphor. Well worth the brief read.

I found the story somewhat boring. It was a challenge for me to stay with it, waiting for its meaning to unfold as I knew it would. The climax, of course, revealed that the metamorphosis took place on both sides of the equation; that is, with the family as well as with the main character as each drew further away from the other. Very interesting notion, to be sure, but one which could have been presented in a less "over the top" manner. But, then, it wouldn't be Kafka!

This is a well-translated, very portable version of a truly extraordinary book. If you're looking for the most affordable version of The Metamorphosis, this is the best fit I've found! It's clear and engaging, and has slightly simpler vocabulary than many. This means it would be great for a classroom setting or as a gift for a younger reader, a current English learner, or anyone who doesn't enjoy being sent to the dictionary when they're trying to enjoy a book. The story itself is fresh as ever--while this isn't personally my favorite of Kafka's work, I love the absurdism and the economy of language that he employs within it! I was very pleased with the binding quality as well, and there are several amusing graphics inside the book that made it just that bit more fun to read. The biggest selling point for me personally was the size-- I'm a pack rat, so it is often difficult to find books that will fit wherever I need them to. This has made a wonderful addition to my commute this week, for the price of a Starbucks order or a single decent sock. You can't go wrong!

This was $0.15 on Amazon.I listened 🎶 to this as part of the Classic Tales of Horror - 500+ Stories. It was very interesting with well developed characters lots of action and misdirection leading to the conclusion. I would highly recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of fantasy horror novels. 2023 😀👒☺🏡

Kafka's Metamorphosis is a book that appears on many should-read lists, but -as an academic in the humanities- I managed to spend the best part of a decade without reading it.I'm really glad I finally did.Pragmatically: it's a very short book, a very accessible story, with very clear prose.Personally: I found this story to be both moving and uncomfortable in equal parts. It made me excited about shorter stories again, and I would be interested in reading more surrealism and/or Kafka due to the completely left-field premise of Metamorphosis.Don't give this to your children to read -- it could induce quite severe nightmares! Do read this, even if you're an arachnophobe -- it's a completely alternative perspective of life as a creepy crawly (and there are no actual spiders in the story).A wonderful metaphor about identity and family politics. A fantastic read.

This is a great and funny book for anyone looking for an easy read. The author Franz Kafka is great.