From the Bookshelf of On Paths Unknown…

The Metamorphosis and Other Stories

Franz Kafka

Start date: May 20, 2022

Discussion: LET'S KEEP IT SHORT

Why we're reading this: It's short Kafka, doh.…more
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What Members Thought

Oct 11, 2016 Michael Finocchiaro rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, czech-20th-c, fantasy, novels, fiction, classics

There are few lines in literature as amazing as "Gregor Samson woke up as a roach", but then there are few writers as absurd and powerful as Franz Kafka. This classic story - allegorical, of course - is stunningly well-written and despite being fantasy, we can truly picture Gregor's transformation and feel his horror as his disappearance as an individual in society. One of the most enigmatic books of the early 20th century and and absolute must read. ...more

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Aug 01, 2020 Chadi Raheb rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 20th-century, litt-deutsch, audiobook

واسه آدمی که شست پاش رفته تو چشمش، بهترین کار کتاب صوتی گوش دادنه :))

[پنج ستاره به صدای بندیکت]

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Nov 02, 2018 Vigneswara Prabhu rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: satire

Gregor Samsa woke up one fine day to find to his astonishment that he had turned into an insect. while not the exact quotes these are some of the most effective and memorable opening lines in literature. In a single line Kafka draws us in, and kept us engaged. It is a beauty of minimalism. Everything that comes afterwards his plight, the reaction of his family, his ultimate fate can be surmised and imagined by the reader even before delving into the plot. that however doesn't take away from the Gregor Samsa woke up one fine day to find to his astonishment that he had turned into an insect. while not the exact quotes these are some of the most effective and memorable opening lines in literature. In a single line Kafka draws us in, and kept us engaged. It is a beauty of minimalism. Everything that comes afterwards his plight, the reaction of his family, his ultimate fate can be surmised and imagined by the reader even before delving into the plot. that however doesn't take away from the intrigue.

In the vein of black comedies, the first emotions Samsa feels after waking to such a state, are not revulsion, confusion or terror. Rather the banal concern as to how he could reach work that day. He is more concerned about the fact he is late, than how his family or others might perceive his now alien frame.
Later in the story, even his parents are more concerned about how in absence of Gregor's Earnings they could not move out, owing to again Gregor's Current state. There is no Expected outcome of him being a freak show, taken away by the government, or running away. they don't even try to contact a Doctor to ascertain what exactly transpired. because ultimately that is of no concern.

The metamorphosis of Gregor is treated akin to an Allegory of a family member who falls in Ill health and is unable to be a contributing member of the family. Despite everything Gregor has done for them, how much he loves them; in times of hardship he is met with contempt and cries. even their new problems are blamed on his current state.

But quite like a patient afflicted with an terminal illness, it was not one of choice. The pleas of Greta towards the last act to get rid of their incapacitated family members, echoes eerily how many children treat their old parents, or some impoverished parents to their newborn children.

I was surprisingly disappointed by the end. having expected some conclusion with a bang. or even some form of comeuppance to the family. But there they were outside enjoying a warm day, making plans to the future about their daughter's marriage. It might seem odd to end it in such a way. but when you take a deep breath and rethink it, is this not how most families in such conditions act. as much as they loved him, once the sick member has finally passed on, after the obligatory period of mourning life goes on.

No one can be to blame for this. For that is life. we can criticize and scorn The Samsa family for their selfish and callous behavior. But not many can understand the trials they themselves went through. while this does not justify their actions, it shows just how human they were.

In conclusion, it is inconsequential that Gregor Samsa turned into an insect. beyond the narrative draw. replace his metamorphosis with any illness, accident or disability and the results are a family that has fallen on hard times, the embodiment of their hopes, aspirations and future crumbled and their life afterwards. ...more

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