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sidonbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Some poems were nice, others sounded too pretentious and reminded me of those guys who think they're above everyone if they find out you read romance novels.
mindfulnessmagpie's review against another edition
An interesting look into Kafka's life and as close to his theological beliefs as you are likely going to get. I can't really rate it as it's a collection of his thoughts and like the rest of his work he never wanted them published. The edition I had included the aphorisms he crossed out which lets you get further into his mindset. There's also a few thought-provoking bits to ponder over.
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
From a certain point on, there is no more turning back. That is the point that must be reached. ("5", 7)
A first indication of glimmering understanding is the desire to die. ("13", 13)
Like a path in autumn: no sooner is it cleared than it is once again littered with fallen leaves. ("15", 15)
If it had been possible to build the Tower of Babel without having to climb it, that would have been sanctioned. ("18", 18)
Grasp the good fortune that the ground on which you stand cannot be any bigger than the two feet planted on it. ("24", 24)
Martyrs do not underestimate the body, they allow it to be hoisted up onto the cross. In that way they are like their enemies. ("33", 33)
Belief in progress doesn't mean belief in progress that has already occurred. That would not require belief. ("48", 49)
The way to tell fewest lies is to tell fewest lies, not to give oneself the fewest opportunities of telling lies. ("58", 59)
The fact that the only world is a constructed world takes away hope and gives us certainty. ("62", 63)
Theoretically, there is one consummate possibility of felicity: to believe in the indestructible in oneself, and then not go looking for it. ("69",69)
Test yourself against mankind. It teaches the doubter to doubt and the believer to believe. ("75", 74)
Dealings with people bring about self-scrutiny. ("77", 76)
You can withdraw from the sufferings of the world—that possibility is open to you and accords with your nature—but perhaps that withdrawal is the only suffering you might be able to avoid. ("103", 102)
Sometimes in his arrogance he has more anxiety for the world than for himself. ("He", 112)
He is thirsty, and is cut off from a spring by a mere dump of bushes. But he is divided against himself: one part overlooks the whole, sees that he is standing here and that the spring is just beside him; but another part notices nothing, has at most a divination that the first part sees all. But as he notices nothing he cannot drink. ("He", 120)
toadsoup's review against another edition
3.0
The best part was the final “he” segment. Everything else didn’t have to be there.
shiprim's review against another edition
4.0
"İnsanın belli başlı iki günahı var, öbürleri bunlardan çıkar: Sabırsızlık ve kayıtsızlık. Sabırsızlıktan Cennet'ten kovuldular, kayıtsızlıktan geri dönmüyorlar. Ancak belki de belli başlı sadece bir günah var: Sabırsızlık... Sabırsızlıktan kovulmuşlardı, sabırsızlıktan geri dönmüyorlar."
"Bir gladyatörün dövüşten sonraki yorgunluğuna benziyor yorgunluğu, yaptığı iş memur odasının bir duvarına beyaz badana çekmekti."
"Bir gladyatörün dövüşten sonraki yorgunluğuna benziyor yorgunluğu, yaptığı iş memur odasının bir duvarına beyaz badana çekmekti."
michaelmoses's review
4.0
"A cage went in search of a bird."
Kafka is poetry. Haunting poetry.
Kafka seamlessly manages to latch onto the tedium of daily life, while keeping constant vigil of the existential condition.
Kafka is poetry. Haunting poetry.
Kafka seamlessly manages to latch onto the tedium of daily life, while keeping constant vigil of the existential condition.
katrinia17's review against another edition
3.0
I got mixed emotions on this one. I think there was a lot of repeating subject matter and so I got bored pretty easily. There were a few good ones that I found. The second part, He, had some decent ones in it. Overall, I won't run off and buy this book. It is worth checking out at the library. I won't be keeping it on my shelf.