veracruzzzzz's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this novella. I picked it up as part of an essential to-read list, so there was an attached 'chore' value to it. I never thought I'd enjoy it as much as I did.
It's a jumping point to reflect upon familial obligations, expectations and roles ��� even from an absurdist point of view ��� and I was sorry to see it end.
It's a jumping point to reflect upon familial obligations, expectations and roles ��� even from an absurdist point of view ��� and I was sorry to see it end.
rhiannatherad's review against another edition
3.0
In The Penal Colony was my favorite of the short stories in this collection.
caught_between_pages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
megselyane's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Confinement
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Violence
Minor: Vomit, Ableism, and Gore
alfombraturca94's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bdesmond's review against another edition
3.0
Kafka's The Metamorphosis is one of the most widely read stories out there, with as many literary interpretations as one would expect from a one hundred year old story that has been analyzed for every one of them. Glancing over some of these interpretations upon finishing it, I question whether I'm actually reading correctly; which, being fair to myself, is of course a joke. But the point remains, readers have pored over this man's work, finding meaning in every line, and with every reading a new interpretation.
There were five stories in the collection.
THE JUDGEMENT (2 stars)
This was without a doubt my least favorite of the bunch. I couldn't get a grasp on which character I was supposed to be sympathetic with, what was actually happening and what was a delusion of the narrator, and the narrative itself was sort of confusing. It surrounded an altercation between a father and his son, that much was clear.
THE METAMORPHOSIS (4 stars)
An interesting examination of isolation and our desire to shed the burdens of our daily lives. After all, if you could crawl along ceilings all day rather than go to your shitty job, wouldn't you?
IN THE PENAL COLONY (5 stars)
My favorite story of the bunch. A bizarre look at humanity's masochistic past. An explorer is given a thorough explanation of a torture machine used in executions.
A COUNTRY DOCTOR (3 stars)
A surreal, absurd series of inexplicable events that reads like some strange nightmare from which the doctor cannot escape.
A REPORT TO AN ACADEMY (3 stars)
This one was interesting. A report by Red Peter who—after being capture from the jungle—observed and emulated human behavior until attaining the intelligence of an average European.
There were five stories in the collection.
THE JUDGEMENT (2 stars)
This was without a doubt my least favorite of the bunch. I couldn't get a grasp on which character I was supposed to be sympathetic with, what was actually happening and what was a delusion of the narrator, and the narrative itself was sort of confusing. It surrounded an altercation between a father and his son, that much was clear.
THE METAMORPHOSIS (4 stars)
An interesting examination of isolation and our desire to shed the burdens of our daily lives. After all, if you could crawl along ceilings all day rather than go to your shitty job, wouldn't you?
IN THE PENAL COLONY (5 stars)
My favorite story of the bunch. A bizarre look at humanity's masochistic past. An explorer is given a thorough explanation of a torture machine used in executions.
A COUNTRY DOCTOR (3 stars)
A surreal, absurd series of inexplicable events that reads like some strange nightmare from which the doctor cannot escape.
A REPORT TO AN ACADEMY (3 stars)
This one was interesting. A report by Red Peter who—after being capture from the jungle—observed and emulated human behavior until attaining the intelligence of an average European.
aziraphales_left_shoe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
adrianlwaller's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
crimsonstain's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
3.75