The Metamorphosis [Norton Critical Edition]
by Franz Kafka 
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Franz Kafka's 1915 novella of unexplained horror and nightmarish transformation became a worldwide classic and remains a century later one of the most widely read works of fiction in the world. The Metamorphosis is the story of traveling salesman Gregor Samsa, who wakes one morning to find himself transformed into a monstrous insect. In her new translation of Kafka's masterpiece, Susan Bernofsky strives to capture both the humor and the humanity in this macabre tale, underscoring the ways in show more which Gregor Samsa's grotesque metamorphosis is just the physical manifestation of his longstanding spiritual impoverishment. Mark Anderson's critical apparatus brings together a wide variety of analyses of the existential story, ranging from the psychological vantages of Sacher-Masoch and Nietzsche to focuses of Kafka's relationship to animals, Judaism, and photographs. Along with snippets of Kafka's letters and diary entries concerning The Metamorphosis, a chronology and selected bibliography are also included. -- show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Metamorphosis is the longest of the stories in this collection, and the most well known. I knew the surmise, Gregor wakes up one morning to find he;s been transformed into an insect of some description. The exact nature of this is not described, but it has multiple legs and a hard carapace, so I'm imagining some kind of beetle or roach. Which at 6 ft would clearly be quite disconcerting for all concerned. The way the family respond to him and his condition is explored. There is then the impact on the family's finances, with father and daughter going out to work and mother taking in sewing and lodgers but unable to move to a smaller apartment because of Gregor. I wasn't expecting the ending. The title could be applied to more than one show more protagonist in here. It's thought provoking and I'm glad I've read it.
There were a number of other stories in the collection, and they all have a sense of unease and a dark underside. I liked the last story, The Hunter Gracchus the most. show less
There were a number of other stories in the collection, and they all have a sense of unease and a dark underside. I liked the last story, The Hunter Gracchus the most. show less
I understand this short novella to be a classic of 20th-century literature and pivotal to existentialism, but having just finished the book - I don't get it. The story itself is interesting, with a young man awaking to discover himself to now be a giant insect and the descriptive details of how he manages to get himself out of bed and such. But as to the larger themes, I'm somewhat at a loss (maybe that's the point?). I realize there are pages of analysis available out there and while I'm interested to hear the thoughts of others in my book group, this classic left me with few strong feelings.
This book contained more criticism than it did story, but the story itself was quite engaging. It was fascinating to see the character metamorphosis of each family member as a result of Gregor's change, making it impossible to say which family member would be considered the most vermin-like. The reader's sympathy is with Gregor for the entire story. It was certainly memorable.
Disappointed
Strange.
Brilliant, original, thought-provoking
A man turns into a bug.
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Author Information
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Franz Kafka -- July 3, 1883 - June 3, 1924 Franz Kafka was born to middle-class Jewish parents in Prague, Czechoslovakia on July 3, 1883. He received a law degree at the University of Prague. After performing an obligatory year of unpaid service as law clerk for the civil and criminal courts, he obtained a position in the workman's compensation show more division of the Austrian government. Always neurotic, insecure, and filled with a sense of inadequacy, his writing is a search for personal fulfillment and understanding. He wrote very slowly and deliberately, publishing very little in his lifetime. At his death he asked a close friend to burn his remaining manuscripts, but the friend refused the request. Instead the friend arranged for publication Kafka's longer stories, which have since brought him worldwide fame and have influenced many contemporary writers. His works include The Metamorphosis, The Castle, The Trial, and Amerika. Kafka was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in August 1917. As his disease progressed, his throat became affected by the TB and he could not eat regularly because it was painful. He died from starvation in a sanatorium in Kierling, near Vienna, after admitting himself for treatment there on April 10, 1924. He died on June 3 at the age of 40. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- The Metamorphosis [Norton Critical Edition]
- Original publication date
- 1915
- Disambiguation notice
- This LT Work is the Norton Critical Edition of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis. As such, it includes substantial material in addition to Kafka's original Work. According to standing LT practice, please do not combine... (show all) this Norton Critical Edition with other editions containing The Metamorphosis.
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Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, General Fiction
- DDC/MDS
- 833.912 — Literature & rhetoric German & related literatures German fiction 1900- 1900-1990 1900-1945
- LCC
- PT2621 .A26 .V42613 — Language and Literature German, Dutch and Scandinavian literatures German literature Individual authors or works 1860/70-1960
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- Reviews
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- Languages
- English
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- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 5
