Reviews with content warning for Animal death - The Metamorphosis

This messed with my head so much I didn't even have anything to say about it at first. Really showcases the importance of compassion. This made me so sad but it speaks to some real truths in the world, from the time of writing to my time of reading - the treatment of those with disabilities or illnesses & the genuinely dystopian sentiment of waking up to life-changing circumstances and worrying about being late for work.

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komiification's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I thought I'd like this alot more then I actually did :/

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ecaps's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

If you want to read a summary without any spoilers and want to know if you should read the book then YES, read the book

Gregor Samsa one morning finds himself turned into a vermin. His family at seeing this transformation are appalled. His father treats him like a pest. His mother cannot bear to look at her son because of what he has become. His sister is the only one who powers through and cleans up his room, puts out food for him and so on. Gregor does not want to burden his family but it does so happen that he becomes one for them. Before this, he was the breadwinner for the family and wanted to give his parents a comfortable life and the best education to his little sister. They were the only reason he was doing the office job he didn’t like.

My interpretation;

Even after he realises his transformation, Gregor is calm. That aspect really made it even more unnerving for me since being turned into a completely new species one fine morning without any reason would render anyone into a state of shock. There is a part in the beginning where his main priority was not to ask how did this happen but just to get out of bed and convince his family that he is not sick. This calmness in Gregor’s demeanour just seems unusual. But when I think about it the explanation that comes to mind is, in a situation where everyone else is panicking someone has to be calm to handle the situation. In this case, where everyone was panicking Gregor kept calm so that he could keep everyone from worrying.

A human turning into an insect is a way of the author metaphorically describing differently abled people, people who suffer from mental illnesses, people who feel unworthy, alienated from their peers and loved ones, anyone who feels they don’t fit in or are treated like a freak for being different.

Being someone who has experienced these things Kafka has tried to communicate the impact they have on their families and people close to them and how it affects themselves as well. How in their own mind they don’t want to burden their loved ones with their issues but they cannot communicate that and the people around them either pity them or see them and treat them differently. This makes them feel betrayed and they see their existence as unnecessary and even try to take their own lives.
This does not necessarily mean either one of the parties are at fault, it is just a situation that they have landed in because LIFE!. The way circumstances bring out a different side in people and how it affects human relationships is what the story tries to depict.

P.S.: I highly recommend reading the preface before starting the actual book. It gives quite an insight of the authors style of writing and helps you understand his thought process.

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public_nuisance's review against another edition

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dark sad

4.0

As a member of a lower-middle class family, I related lot to the struggles of the family as a whole.

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thespycrowreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Having just finished "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka, I'm compelled to share my thoughts on this intriguing literary work that captured my attention from the start. Introduced to me through a recommendation on my Pinterest feed and conveniently available in my eBook library, Kafka's tale proved to be a captivating exploration of the human psyche.
Written in a straightforward style, the novel follows the unsettling journey of Gregor Samsa, who wakes one morning to find himself transformed into a colossal insect. Despite the bizarre circumstances, Gregor's initial concern is for his family, setting the stage for a poignant examination of duty, sacrifice, and the human condition.
Kafka's narrative unfolds through Gregor's perspective, inviting readers to empathize with his plight as he grapples with his newfound existence. Through Gregor's eyes, we witness his struggles to maintain his humanity amidst his family's rejection and the physical challenges of his metamorphosis. One of the novel's most compelling aspects is Kafka's masterful characterization of Gregor, whose unwavering devotion to his family contrasts sharply with their gradual abandonment of him. This theme of familial obligation resonates deeply throughout the story, underscoring the complexities of human relationships and societal expectations.
However, while Kafka's narrative prowess is undeniable, the novel leaves several questions unanswered, most notably the origin of Gregor's transformation and the lack of a detailed description of his insect form. These unresolved elements may leave some readers craving greater clarity and depth. Despite these shortcomings, "The Metamorphosis" remains a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant work that lingers in the mind long after the final page. Its existential themes and rich symbolism offer readers a compelling glimpse into the human experience, making it a worthy addition to any literary repertoire.

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violetbooklover's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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annapox's review against another edition

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challenging sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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goemonxiii's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Metamorphosis may not be for everybody in the sense that it's slow, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and needed to hear its message at the time. The best way I can describe the "point" of this book is that you can't wait around for people to save you regardless of your relationship with them, and in order to get better you have to take matters into your own hands and save yourself. I read this as a teenager while I was struggling with personal and family problems, and as difficult and hard as the message was, I needed to hear it. I was like Gregor Samsa in the sense that I was struggling yet wasn't getting the help I needed from my family, and it was this book that taught me that I had to be the one to take the initiative and help myself instead of waiting around for someone else to save me.

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