Status Updates From The Diaries of Franz Kafka

28/11/11 - “Three days with nothing written.”

Weird to go from the in between state of Kafka's unpublished work (mostly finished, with some important context and details on translation (& its history) in the foreword, and obvious fragmentation elsewhere) to the truly open and unfinished state of his diaries. Interesting to follow his thought process between drafts--seems very stream of consciousness.

So annoying to read, spaced out cut off random thoughts, parts of stories/imaginings, part first person part second person part third person

Around page 150.
The diary now feels like groundwork. Less emotional shock, more pattern: family, theater, friends, repetition. I’m starting to see how Kafka is being shaped before the work fully arrives.

About 100 pages in.
I’m surprised to be enjoying Kafka’s diary more than I expected. He’s writing more, still tired and restless, but also moving through the world, watching plays, wandering at night, recording strange and sometimes unintentionally funny moments. What I like most is the contrast between his chaotic inner life and how clearly he can write for work. These pages feel less heavy and more alive.