Franz Kafka: The Complete Stories
by Franz Kafka
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Book Reviews of Franz Kafka: The Complete Stories
Book Review: Nothing like this before or since
Summary: 5 Stars
Kafka has to be the one of the most influential writers of the century, not just for his ability to capture the alienation and unreality of much of modern life but because his vision, which is simultaneously totally bizarre and strangely moving, freed writers to try more and more daring ways of expressing themselves. After all, if one can write a moving story about a man who wakes one morning to discover that he has been turned into a huge cockroach, what can't the writer do?The impression left by these stories is all the more interesting when one realizes that Kafka wasn't a starving, drug or drink demented artist, but a minor clerk in a German insurance firm. A dull and orderly life. Of course, if you've ever worked for an insurance company Kafka's sense of unreality and alienation might seem natural.
These are unique and wonderful concoctions. Anyone who wonders what 'Kafkaesque' really means should take a peek into his world. These stories are the best place to start. Then on to The Trial for the full, gruely experience. Wonderfully horrible.
Book Review: Sure he's Great, but Over-rated maybe?!
Summary: 5 Stars
One wonders if this author's reputation might be a bit overblown,though these stories sure are interesting. They should appeal to everyone except romantics who like happy endings. Kafka's is not the type in a Harlequin Romance. Still, is he really THAT great? Anyone who has had a mixup with the law, a gov't agency, who feels persecuted but can't figure how and where, and who likes earthbound sci-fi and old "Twilight Zone" shows will love this. No doubt Kafka has a sense of humor too, even if it seems a little too masochistic at times. The writing is darn good, probably better in the German. METAMORPHOSES seems a little too far out for me. But IN THE PENAL COLONY,and THE JUDGEMENT ARE ABSOLUTE MUST READS. You can pick other faves, and know you're reading the words of a genius, tormented father/victim and all. Also noteworthy is his death at 45 of TB...Anyway, I just got videos of the recent TRAIL and KAFKA so thought I'd share my thoughts..If you got this far, I thank you for reading this !!! (I wonder who is watching me type this, and who will read this!!!???)Book Review: a great book.
Summary: 5 Stars
Kafka, because of his difficult style, can make some assume him to be a bit overrated (which he is by english teachers who prefer him over an author like Herman Hesse, who says what Kafka does a bit more simply and beautifully.) But the truth is, Kafka does have his moments of brilliance, and despite the bad english translations of most of his works, there is still a lot one can learn from them. In the meantime, if you're not ready to dive into the difficulty, pick up a book such as Toilet: The Novel, which was written by an American, and thus does not suffer from the complexities and flaws of translation, and the book itself is a tribute to the literary works of Kafka, which makes it a great introduction to an even greater writer, or for a title a bit less literary pick up one of those introductory guides to Kafka. But then, these short stories too, are also a good introduction, just make sure you read them before you jump into Kafka's book 'The Castle'. Having said that, I hope I was of some help to you.
Fare thee well.
Book Review: An avid student's perspective
Summary: 4 Stars
As a student of the German language, I must say that I view this text from a different perspective than most of its other readers. I selected this book merely to give me a broader understanding of Kafka's work in the short time available to me. It is an infinitely useful resource, gracefully translated and sturdily bound. I give it four stars simply because no English translation could possibly compare to the original German texts. For example, the German word "Gesetz" is translated "law" in the foundational parable "Before the Law." Though it is a literally accurate term, it does not capture the sense of the Gesetz as a semi-personal metaphysical absolute concerning the condition of the Universe. ("Gesetz" is something of a German equivalent for the Greek "Logos" with a capital "L".) Such slight aberrations are certainly common as they are an ineluctable consequence of translation; this aside, it is an excellent text that will always sit next to my German edition on the shelf of Modern Literature.Book Review: Another review in praise may be unneccesary but...
Summary: 5 Stars
There is nothing else that inspires me to write like these stories. In particular, the ultra-short ones, "A Message From the Emperor" and "Before the Law" made me realize the way in which a writer can create. I read them and imagine a blank page before him. Within the page, or two, he created something which has been burnt into the minds of those who have read it. Oddly enough, these stories have led me to consider extremely long works (such as Anna Karenina or Crime and Punishment) as, quite possibly, not worth the time. I only think that way every other day though.Besides the fabulous ultra-shorts, the just-plain-regularly-short length stories are brilliant. (please don't use that term incorrectly. I'm trying to introduce it worldwide. Just kidding.) "Josephine the Singer" is my favorite short story and my favorite work of Kafka's. I believe it was his final work as well. It is absolutely bizarre, but powerful.