What a break story! Kafka's symbolism is absolutely fantastic. A master. I hope to read more of his work soon. ( )

The idea was interesting, especially for the time. The writing isn't my favorite - a personal failing, probably, but I really thought the character thoughts & actions left a lot to be desired. I just didn't find them real enough to be true or funny enough to be satirical. I'm not sure what he was aiming for, but he never made it for me. ( )

I really did enjoy "The Metamorphosis." I found it packed a lot of power for a such a short story, but it's so open for interpretation I recommend you read it before you read reviews hinting at what to think of it.

On face value 'The Metamorphosis' just seems bizarre, and, like another reviewer said, the more you read and think about the story the more you begin to appreciate it.

I have admit I cried- but only a few tears escaped while I was actually reading it. What was odd was that I really cried while I was answering a few questions on it for school (I choose it - so reading it didn't feel like a chore) and began to interpret it for myself.

I was touched by Gregor's amazing devotion to his family, and felt as if his metamorphosis was some sort of catalyst for change in his family. I see it as story of sacrifice, a brother and son giving up on his on well-being to benefit the family he loves. The family that cannot overcome his "monsterous" form. It was almost like a fairy tale with an ending both happy and sad.

I read most of the story in the hope that Gregor would wake one day to find it was all a dream, I even nurtured a suspicion that the heartless charwomen was some sort of witch which had imprisoned Gregor in this creature's body, and would release one day with a snap of her fingers.

I actually read the Minerva edition "Metamorphosis and other stories," so haven't read the essays in this Classics edition (which- as a note... I really don't think there should be a picture on the cover. I agree with Kafka, let the reader decide). But it some ways I don't want to read a whole lot of crictical material. I think Metamorphosis is just so open to interpretation, so whether I'm academically wrong or right, it would be nice for my own thoughts on it not to be fused with others that I may not understand. Post-modernism? ( )

One day, back in my youth, I decided to get me some culture. I was an avid science fiction fan and I had heard that there was this book--actual literature--about a man who turned into a cockroach. I determined to get a copy of that book and see how the author was able to transform such a concept into something that would be studied by university professors and the like. What fascinating cause did he devise for such a change? How deftly could he explain the biological differences between insect and mammal or the physical consequences of the mutated form? What excitement awaited as the protagonists unravelled the puzzle and either killed or saved the immense man-bug? I was disappointed. I procured a copy of the book, The Metamorphosis, and tried to devour it like an Isaac Asimov or Harlan Ellison tale. It was boring! Not one bit of pseudo-science! No explanation at all as to why this shmoe was roached. And let me tell you, Gregor Samsa made for one pathetic giant insect. I read the book once and let it gather dust.

Well, about twenty years have passed and now I've had to read the story again, as part of my daughter's schooling. I'm happy to report that I have grown up a bit. I may still find Mothra more entertaining, but I was able to appreciate the depth of the tale that escaped my younger self. It's a rather depressing tale, but quite human. Of course, the multitude of essays that compose the final two-thirds of the Bantam Classics edition are still boring. I don't know if that's because I'm still to stupid to understand them, or if maybe I've grown to wise to be impressed by such intellectual endeavors.
--J. ( )

well...so lonely we are...any thing else to say...? ( )