Scan barcode
A review by cosmin
The Castle by Franz Kafka
1.0
I have not managed to finish this book because I got so lost in the meaninglessness of the 'plot', much like our protagonist, K.. I failed to see the allegory to the real world, I failed to notice Kafka's message to the reader and I did not find their writing humorous or entertaining like so many reviewers have.
I ask myself for whom was this book written for? Coming from a background of reading contemporary books that don't dabble in too much fantasy or sci-fi, is Kafka's absurdist style really intended for me?
I strongly relate to K.'s frustration with the Castle, similar to how frustrated I was with the book's monotony. Just as K. misunderstands the people of the Castle, I can't grasp the onto the admiration that so many reviewers have for this novel. Being in the minority, I feel as though I am the odd one out. Yet likewise, I feel like the Kafka-fanatics are queer folk here.
The polarisation between the many who adore this novel and the few whose life won't be changed by it is something to commend Kafka for.
In this sense, I believe that no-one can fully understand K.'s sinking sentiment of alienation quite like readers such as myself can, as we float solitary in a vast sea of cult-like worshippers for a nonsensical work that gives so much meaning to those who are scrutinising every page for it.
I ask myself for whom was this book written for? Coming from a background of reading contemporary books that don't dabble in too much fantasy or sci-fi, is Kafka's absurdist style really intended for me?
I strongly relate to K.'s frustration with the Castle, similar to how frustrated I was with the book's monotony. Just as K. misunderstands the people of the Castle, I can't grasp the onto the admiration that so many reviewers have for this novel. Being in the minority, I feel as though I am the odd one out. Yet likewise, I feel like the Kafka-fanatics are queer folk here.
The polarisation between the many who adore this novel and the few whose life won't be changed by it is something to commend Kafka for.
In this sense, I believe that no-one can fully understand K.'s sinking sentiment of alienation quite like readers such as myself can, as we float solitary in a vast sea of cult-like worshippers for a nonsensical work that gives so much meaning to those who are scrutinising every page for it.