An astounding debut in which Kafka's Gregor Samsa undergoes yet another metamorphosis -- one that propels him across the rocky and often ridiculous...
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reviews
Feb 12, 2008
Nancy
rated it: 
note: plot (but no spoilers, actually) is given away in the following entry:
A delightful commentary on our own metamorphosis as human beings. What have we become? Are we human or beast?
How to begin to even describe this story is difficult.
Synopsis:
Franz Kafka's character of Gregor Samsa in "Metamorphosis" (an outstandingly brilliant story, one I think everyone should read) is a fabric salesman, supporting his family, until one day he wakes up and re More...
A delightful commentary on our own metamorphosis as human beings. What have we become? Are we human or beast?
How to begin to even describe this story is difficult.
Synopsis:
Franz Kafka's character of Gregor Samsa in "Metamorphosis" (an outstandingly brilliant story, one I think everyone should read) is a fabric salesman, supporting his family, until one day he wakes up and re More...
Apr 30, 2008
Coral
rated it:
If you didn't like Forrest Gump because the idea of someone bumbling along into that many historical moments and events was too much for you to swallow, then this is not the book for you.
However, if you can suspend your sense of reality for a bit, it's an interesting ride getting to know Gregor Samsa. The fabric salesman-turned-cockroach spends the first part of his second life as a member of a circus/freak show, then flies with his own wings to America, meets Alice Paul, testifies a More...
However, if you can suspend your sense of reality for a bit, it's an interesting ride getting to know Gregor Samsa. The fabric salesman-turned-cockroach spends the first part of his second life as a member of a circus/freak show, then flies with his own wings to America, meets Alice Paul, testifies a More...
Jan 08, 2012
Lydia
rated it:
This took a couple of reads as it felt a little like I needed a tour guide - funny, twisty and heady; worthy of the sojourn. I think I will try it again with some years under my belt... I am proud to say that my copy was gifted to me by the author.
Apr 09, 2009
Calla
rated it:
This book is odd. It is about the metamorphosized Gregor Samsa, living through historic events in the early 20th century.... yes as a giant cockroach. I actually really enjoyed the historical aspect of the book.
Jun 24, 2010
John
rated it:
Kafka's Gregor Samsa continues on as a giant cockroach in a human society. He travels the world, holds various odd jobs, and along the way meets famous people from the early 20th century.
This book is very intelligent - you almost have to have your Wittgenstein and Schopenhauer on hand to fully get some of the references - but it flows very well. It is a well-written, engaging, more cerebral Forrest Gump (plus insects). A good find.
This book is very intelligent - you almost have to have your Wittgenstein and Schopenhauer on hand to fully get some of the references - but it flows very well. It is a well-written, engaging, more cerebral Forrest Gump (plus insects). A good find.
Nov 26, 2009
Kafka's cockroach lands in FDR's White House and ends up in Los Alamos with the guys who built the "Gadget". Estrin rocks this story
Mar 19, 2011
Paul
rated it:
Uses the character of Gregor Samsa from the Kafka story, "Metamorphosis" as its main character. Deals with the themes of music, alienation, antisemitism, sexuality, ethics, and nuclear war within the context of life as a cockroach from the beginnings of WWII till the end of the war. Although an odd mixture of themes, the author is able to draw it altogether to create a life-like character rather than just a vehicle to address a multitude of issues.
Apr 17, 2008
Jonathan
rated it:
Imagine that when Kafka's cockroach was swept out with an apple in his back that he wasn't dead. Let's say he went off and joined the circus freak show, and then proceeded to have more historically significant adventures than Forrest Gump. A cockroach as presidential advisor to FDR? A roach who helps Oppenheimer with the bomb?
This book was a pretty funny and sometimes poignant read. Worth a look, assuming it's still in print (probably not).
This book was a pretty funny and sometimes poignant read. Worth a look, assuming it's still in print (probably not).
Apr 17, 2008
J
rated it:
I have just started this, but it is really wonderful so far. I was expecting it to be dry and claustrophobic like Kafka, but its actually rather witty and emotional. Kind of quirky. The book details what happens to Gregor Samsa, the cockroach hero of the Metamorphosis. He runs off with a sideshow in Prague, and precedes to have historically significant adventures, at least so i've heard. Can't wait to get further into it. Recommended.
May 01, 2009
AJ
rated it: 
This book is not funny. Several reviews said it was funny, witty, brilliant. It is not funny. Not chuckle funny. Not tongue in cheek funny. Not hysterical funny.
It is clever, but not in a funny way.
Maybe I didn't like it because of the historical context that Gregor lives through. I didn't *hate* it, but I did have to force myself to finish it in the hopes that I'd find the humor or figure out what was going over my head.
It is clever, but not in a funny way.
Maybe I didn't like it because of the historical context that Gregor lives through. I didn't *hate* it, but I did have to force myself to finish it in the hopes that I'd find the humor or figure out what was going over my head.
Feb 04, 2011
David
rated it: 
What if Kafka’s Metamorphosis met Forrest Gump met a history text book; that is the basis of this book. Gregor is a salesman who became a cockroach and lived. The book follows his travels as he interacts with famous people and situations of the day (1914 to 1945), but I can sum it up pretty easily. Too many details, not enough story; and regardless what this Frederick Reuss on the cover says, it wasn’t that funny either.
Dec 16, 2009
Wendy
rated it:
smartly entertaining, follow a cockroach through historical events in a fictional weaving, not unlike forrest gump, but actually worth your time.
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