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thats_eli'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
soswiin'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? N/A
2.5
Moderate: Sexual harassment
theyretakingthehobbits's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Murder
willow1113'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
3.5
Moderate: Misogyny, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, and Classism
chrisljm'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
2.0
I appreciate critique on bureaucracy and the complex legal system, but I really disliked the way it was executed here. It’s incredibly dense and difficult to engage with, and I think this book could’ve benefited from ‘less is more’. It also didn’t help that I found Joseph K. to be a very irritating character and at certain points I wanted him to just get arrested already so that he would stop talking. I also really disliked how the only purpose the few female characters had were to serve and seduce the men.
I much prefer The Stranger by Albert Camus.
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Sexual harassment
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: Misogyny, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming and Sexual assault
danicam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, 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, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, 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, Torture, and Sexual harassment