niklasmagmich's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
dean_issov's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- 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
2.0
I went into this blind and it sure was a trip! The story is about Joseph K., a functionary in a bank, who got arrested one morning without knowing the reason why. Throughout the book, we are put in K's confusing and frustrating life as he goes through different court trials and finds advocates who seems to help him out at first, but as the story continues the trial kinda just starts to feel like an endless cycle which can go on until he dies.
While I did find the plot interesting at first, and the situation that K was in was something that could have put me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book, it just sort of dragged on at the middle. Franz Kafka passed away before he could ever finish The Trial so it makes sense why it feels incomplete to me and in need of some editing while I was reading it.
I wish I could love this book more, but maybe in the future if I ever re-read it I might have a change of heart! Have you ever had that one book that you thought you were gonna easily rate 5 out of 5, but halfway through the book you can feel your excitement for it fade away?
While I did find the plot interesting at first, and the situation that K was in was something that could have put me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book, it just sort of dragged on at the middle. Franz Kafka passed away before he could ever finish The Trial so it makes sense why it feels incomplete to me and in need of some editing while I was reading it.
I wish I could love this book more, but maybe in the future if I ever re-read it I might have a change of heart! Have you ever had that one book that you thought you were gonna easily rate 5 out of 5, but halfway through the book you can feel your excitement for it fade away?
jessio13's review
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
hooman_rostami's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
whispersofareader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.0
azathoth's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
noah1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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
3.25
It was quite dragging, though I guess that's the point. Thought it was funny how every woman was throwing herself at K. as if he weren't behaving horribly.
majakl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
pageofpentacles's review against another edition
2.0
Not really sure what kind of delirium the writer was in while writing this, but I have to say I expected more from such a well heard-of name. I'm completely aware that philosophical works are not meant to be easy, but this one reads like that one kid who thinks using big words, both in amount and quality, makes him smart and superior to his peers. I feel sorry for the people who had to take on the challenge of translating this book, I hope they got paid for all the sleepless nights.
Unfortunately, I am among those who disliked this book and will not be re-reading any time soon. Trying to explain and sort of expose the system that we are still living in, Kafka ultimately fails to make his reader understand the point and steers away from the main subject too soon into the story. Joseph K. is a very unlikeable character that I was uncomfortable reading about since he's got such a high opinion of himself only, and cares little about anything that doesn't have to do with preserving his own pride.
The only episodes I found worth reading were at the very end of the book; the part when he talks to the man at the cathedral (kind of got a feeling that he was talking to the God, to be honest), and the disturbing epilogue or rather 'The End'. Seriously, I couldn't calm down for two hours after finishing.
Unfortunately, I am among those who disliked this book and will not be re-reading any time soon. Trying to explain and sort of expose the system that we are still living in, Kafka ultimately fails to make his reader understand the point and steers away from the main subject too soon into the story. Joseph K. is a very unlikeable character that I was uncomfortable reading about since he's got such a high opinion of himself only, and cares little about anything that doesn't have to do with preserving his own pride.
The only episodes I found worth reading were at the very end of the book; the part when he talks to the man at the cathedral (kind of got a feeling that he was talking to the God, to be honest), and the disturbing epilogue or rather 'The End'. Seriously, I couldn't calm down for two hours after finishing.