I have to confess, I own a rather nice little compilation of Kafka's shorter works. It is through this that I've been able to read his work, and share my thoughts on his stories. Some of them aren't fantasy or scifi, but they are certainly all obscure. Of course, I'm not going to just be reviewing every little story that I read by him, I'm simply pointing out the ones that I feel need attention drawn to. And, I can confidentially say, The Metamorphosis deserves a little attention. When Gregor Samsa wakes as a giant bug, his life takes a turn for the worse... but if it was ever good is the real question. The Metamorphosis is, hands down, the most popular tale that Franz Kafka ever turned out - and for good reason. Not often can a story deal with topics such as ignorance, desperation, the expectations of others, and alienation without being completely heavy handed. Somehow, the concept of a travelling salesmen being turned into a giant bug is the perfect device in which to express these ideas. Who would have known? I can't say I had high expectations with this one. Many times have I read the stories of the late 1800's and early 1900's, heard endless praise about some extremely unique idea, and been completely disappointed with the overall execution. It feels like the stories of that time had some very brave ideas, but no one really knew how to make them be. The Metamorphosis succeeds in expressing a unique idea, and explores it in a completely unique and satisfying way. Page One, Line One, tells you that Gregor has been changed. He has no idea how to get off the bed, how to interact with others, or how to walk; deal with his condition. A lot of times is spent watching him adjust to his new body and it's quirks, and getting over his single minded mentality when it comes to work. You see, Gregor's biggest issue is his obsession with work and providing for others, his life as a man was little else. And, strangely but effectively, its through Kafka's exploration of Gregor's human life and his family that you learn that things really never were ideal. Gregor was never a man of much besides work, same with his father, and because of this, when Gregor's work-life and money is removed from the equation, he becomes a burden on his parents and sister - a spec that they soon grow tired of taking care of, and long to move on from. Wow. As a man, who was often told that if I didn't work I'd be useless (by both real parents and step parents) in his youth, I can relate. Its also due to this relation that I can look over some of the overall silliness of the writing. At times, Kafka's confidence shines through and it can really hurt what he's trying to say. Moments that are supposed to be dreadful or profound realizations can come off as too direct or too preachy, especially during the end of the story. Ultimately, the tale concludes with the reader being filled in enough on the family, their situation, and Gregor's life to accept his eventual fate. Kakfa has a strange way of making you feel like, perhaps, it was the best option - providing a significant moral dilemma for the reader. It really does, I read this story nearly a week before writing this article and I can say that it sticks with you. The Metamorphosis really is a harrowing tale about a man who is turned into a bug, and the story and themes it expresses are easy for anyone to relate too. Better yet, Kafka's more simplistic and essay-style of writing really works here, almost anyone out of high-school could read this without any difficulty. - unlike Lovecraft or the Lord Dunsany. - L.BROOKS
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