The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
surdiablo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dry, bizarre, anticlimactic read and while there's merit to that criticism, I wasn't bothered much by those issues at all in the end, which is rather surprising for me. It's hard to talk about this book further without getting into spoilers so I will mention these first. For me, both the writing and the events that transpired were simply entrancing regardless of how boring it may appear on a surface level. I can't say I loved it top to bottom, but it felt like such a unique experience which I will not soon forget, and whatever flaws it had can be mostly attributed to it's unfinished state, due to the untimely demise of the author. Below are the unfiltered spoiler thoughts of mine so feel free to stop here if you haven't read the book.
I thought it was fascinating to see how Kafka captures the essence of such a man slowing losing himself, dealing with a seemingly perpetual event that's mentally taxing. The whole book had a certain dreamlike quality to it, realistic and unrealistic at the same time, leaving you with lots to ponder about. The long-term anxiety, the suffocation that K felt literally and figuratively, it was all very palpable and masterfully written. Besides the oppression, it also signifies how far humans will go fighting injustice in their own ways, even when the majority may succumb to pressure. We all are defendants in various trials that may or may not be official in life. It does feel nihilistic somewhat with resistance being futile and K dying without attempting to escape, but I can't deny that it was such a captivating journey that had me questioning the vagaries of life. The only thing I found somewhat distasteful was K's uncanny ability to woo the women at first sight and the disjointed structure of the narrative, but the latter is understandable considering it's unfinished material.
Moderate: Police brutality, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Police brutality
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Vomit, Sexual content, Infidelity, Classism, Confinement, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault and Body shaming
danicam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Murder, Death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
_katie_little's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Death, Murder, Torture, Police brutality, Violence, and Sexual harassment
bishopbox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
However, what is actually on page has an idea it’s going for, but it just keeps getting distracted. Overall, read it if you want to, but don’t expect this to be some masterpiece.
Spoiler review below:
I can see why somebody might connect with this book, but it just wasn’t for me. </spoiler
Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Torture
brycestevenwilley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
The unfinished-ness of it also detracts; I had to read many of the deleted sections to realize what was going on, and one of the chapters that's included in the book is just unfinished and stops in the middle of a paragraph.
I remember enjoying the metamorphisis, so I don't think it was Kafka that I didn't enjoy.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content
larseneiii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Sexual harassment
left3000's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Misogyny
jednakniekinga's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Death