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obliviora's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
tayboud's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
samzwiefelhofer's review
4.0
I really enjoyed The Judgement, The Metamorphosis, In the Penal Colony, Blumfeld, an Elderly Bachelor, A Country Doctor, The Hunter Gracchus, A Report to an Academy, A Hunger Artist, A Little Woman, The Burrow, and Josephine the Singer, or the Mouse Folk.
However, I wish that I had first read one of Kafka’s novels before jumping into his entire collection of stories. Some of the stories were rather dense, and others were rather confusing, and some were both. I found many of the short stories to be especially trying, despite the brief length of the individual stories.
One story that particularly stood out to me was “The Burrow.” Perhaps overlooked by “The Metamorphosis” or “The Hunger Artist,” I found The Burrow to be rich with illustrative description and engaging turmoil within the story. The imagery that Kafka was able to conjure was entertaining from a self-visualization standpoint, and I enjoyed the twisting, claustrophobic nature of the burrow in a literal sense but also in regard to developments in the plot. I was reminded of Tana French’s “Broken Harbour.”
However, I wish that I had first read one of Kafka’s novels before jumping into his entire collection of stories. Some of the stories were rather dense, and others were rather confusing, and some were both. I found many of the short stories to be especially trying, despite the brief length of the individual stories.
One story that particularly stood out to me was “The Burrow.” Perhaps overlooked by “The Metamorphosis” or “The Hunger Artist,” I found The Burrow to be rich with illustrative description and engaging turmoil within the story. The imagery that Kafka was able to conjure was entertaining from a self-visualization standpoint, and I enjoyed the twisting, claustrophobic nature of the burrow in a literal sense but also in regard to developments in the plot. I was reminded of Tana French’s “Broken Harbour.”
briandice's review
4.0
There is something about Kafka's writing that just pulls you in, ties you to the chair and makes you experience it - in all of its frustration, humor and sadness. When observed objectively, it is almost insane that we still read an author that only published a few completed short stories. Kafka ordered all of his work to be burned upon his early death at 41 - his executor and friend, Max Brod, sensed the unfulfilled genius in Kafka's work, and refused his friend's dying wish.
So I asked myself when I took this book of the shelf a couple of months ago, "Why read this book of stories for the third time?" I can't think of another collection of short stories I've read cover-to-cover more than twice. In addition, most of the stories in this collection are unfinished. The jewels of the collection, "The Hunger Artist", "A Report to an Academy", "In the Penal Colony" and the eponymous "Metamorphosis" are outstanding. The remainder of the collection is like staring into a handful of uncut, unpolished diamonds - the reader is forced to look at the potential rather than the current state. This collection includes everything that exists from Kafka's pen, with the exception of his three unfinished novels.
I don't think that Kafka is the best short story writer. But after reading his stories for the third time, I think I've realized why I like him so much. Kafka's particular talent at a particular point in human history is serendipitous. I believe that his writing is a bridge between the story writing and telling of the 19th century and the dawning of a new age in literature (the "Modern" and then "Post-Modern" literature ages). I can sense 19th century Europe in his stories as much as I can the David Foster Wallace, Ben Marcus and other talented late 20th century writers. This positioning is unique and rather daunting for an author with little finished work.
A word of warning: the last third of the book contains "short short stories", many of which aren't more than a paragraph long and are really nothing more than ideas for later consideration. Reading through pages of these is like a journey through a deranged mind, so if you choose to read this book cover-to-cover, plan on tackling this section in short bursts.
So I asked myself when I took this book of the shelf a couple of months ago, "Why read this book of stories for the third time?" I can't think of another collection of short stories I've read cover-to-cover more than twice. In addition, most of the stories in this collection are unfinished. The jewels of the collection, "The Hunger Artist", "A Report to an Academy", "In the Penal Colony" and the eponymous "Metamorphosis" are outstanding. The remainder of the collection is like staring into a handful of uncut, unpolished diamonds - the reader is forced to look at the potential rather than the current state. This collection includes everything that exists from Kafka's pen, with the exception of his three unfinished novels.
I don't think that Kafka is the best short story writer. But after reading his stories for the third time, I think I've realized why I like him so much. Kafka's particular talent at a particular point in human history is serendipitous. I believe that his writing is a bridge between the story writing and telling of the 19th century and the dawning of a new age in literature (the "Modern" and then "Post-Modern" literature ages). I can sense 19th century Europe in his stories as much as I can the David Foster Wallace, Ben Marcus and other talented late 20th century writers. This positioning is unique and rather daunting for an author with little finished work.
A word of warning: the last third of the book contains "short short stories", many of which aren't more than a paragraph long and are really nothing more than ideas for later consideration. Reading through pages of these is like a journey through a deranged mind, so if you choose to read this book cover-to-cover, plan on tackling this section in short bursts.
ltg61's review
2.0
Kafka has to be one of the most inconsistent authors I can think of. I'd even go so far as to say hes - gasp! - overrated.
Before reading this, I was consumed by The Trial. The Trial is a book that absolutely justifies any Kafka worship. It was aggravating, tedious and absurd, but in a profoundly realistic, relatable way. It was surreal but identifiable.
As for most of these stories? Aimless rambling. They lack the absurdity to make them interesting, but not earthly enough to feel personal. "Investigations of a Dog" certainly sticks out as the worst of the bunch. I honestly couldnt tell you what its about. Its a string of introspective babbling that requires multiple read-throughs to decipher any meaning, and considering how boring it was, that sounds like absolute torture. Far too many stories found in this collection bear the same qualities. After a good majority of these tales I found myself thinking "what the hell was the point of all that? Never mind, I dont care."
Thats not to say there wasn't some diamonds in the rough - both "Metamorphosis" and "The Penal Colony" are worthy of his reputation. I cant help but think that people extend the love they have for his strong work to all his work, instead of accepting the uncomfortable fact that he produced brilliance and boring trash in equal measure.
Before reading this, I was consumed by The Trial. The Trial is a book that absolutely justifies any Kafka worship. It was aggravating, tedious and absurd, but in a profoundly realistic, relatable way. It was surreal but identifiable.
As for most of these stories? Aimless rambling. They lack the absurdity to make them interesting, but not earthly enough to feel personal. "Investigations of a Dog" certainly sticks out as the worst of the bunch. I honestly couldnt tell you what its about. Its a string of introspective babbling that requires multiple read-throughs to decipher any meaning, and considering how boring it was, that sounds like absolute torture. Far too many stories found in this collection bear the same qualities. After a good majority of these tales I found myself thinking "what the hell was the point of all that? Never mind, I dont care."
Thats not to say there wasn't some diamonds in the rough - both "Metamorphosis" and "The Penal Colony" are worthy of his reputation. I cant help but think that people extend the love they have for his strong work to all his work, instead of accepting the uncomfortable fact that he produced brilliance and boring trash in equal measure.