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valg_'s review against another edition
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thechapterhouse's review against another edition
3.0
I think I entirely missed the point of the book ... I'm still not sure what it was, frankly.
Listened to it for the sake of saying I've done so, and that's about the best thing I got out of it. The ending just left me a bit gobsmacked.
I'm more entertained/amused by the Audible reviews and Wikipedia critiques than anything else ...
Listened to it for the sake of saying I've done so, and that's about the best thing I got out of it. The ending just left me a bit gobsmacked.
I'm more entertained/amused by the Audible reviews and Wikipedia critiques than anything else ...
sarahbc93_'s review against another edition
3.0
So, this might be one of the strangest stories I have ever read (or listened to, in this case) and I’m not entirely sure what to make of it.
There are so many elements that are just pure absurdity and surrealism (the fact that the main character gets turned into a giant bug, being the biggest one) that you have to suspend your disbelief to actually get through the book. Otherwise you end up being bogged down by the surreal details and unable to actually move on with it.
There are elements as well that I do also relate to? Like the fact that the family are completely awful and just forget that Gregor is even there? He’s supported them all that time and they just forget about him?
Yeah, never thought I’d find a giant bug relatable but here were are.
There are so many elements that are just pure absurdity and surrealism (the fact that the main character gets turned into a giant bug, being the biggest one) that you have to suspend your disbelief to actually get through the book. Otherwise you end up being bogged down by the surreal details and unable to actually move on with it.
There are elements as well that I do also relate to? Like the fact that the family are completely awful and just forget that Gregor is even there? He’s supported them all that time and they just forget about him?
Yeah, never thought I’d find a giant bug relatable but here were are.
haezes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mlou_'s review against another edition
5.0
This novella was both memorable and influential and really took me by suprise. I went in to the reading blind and was immediately very confused yet intrigued by the humongous insect I was faced with. Surrealist imagery aside, this novella comments on some harsh realist topics regarding wealth, class, mental and physical health, and family. Kafka presents a very depressing tale of the life of Gregory and I have nothing but sympathy for his character. I won’t say much more to avoid spoiling but I heavily recommend reading this novella.
Update 1 hour later: I have just spent so much time selecting and pulling apart quotations purely for personal enjoyment. Definitely one of my favourite pieces of literature.
Update 1 hour later: I have just spent so much time selecting and pulling apart quotations purely for personal enjoyment. Definitely one of my favourite pieces of literature.
_starzzer_'s review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bolzano_ed's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
infinibook's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dbroebuck96's review against another edition
4.0
Being well aware of this story but never having actually read it all the way through, I was intrigued as to how this tale ends.
It is an unsettling, fascinating story. The reactions of Gregor's family to his transformation are significant in and of themselves and the main character seems to serve as a mechanism for them to change. With Gregor being at first the breadwinner of the family to being dependent on them, the dynamic of the family is changed by the end. And that's all I'll say without spoiling anything.
It is an unsettling, fascinating story. The reactions of Gregor's family to his transformation are significant in and of themselves and the main character seems to serve as a mechanism for them to change. With Gregor being at first the breadwinner of the family to being dependent on them, the dynamic of the family is changed by the end. And that's all I'll say without spoiling anything.