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Our author for February is the Czech/Bohemian author Franz Kafka.
He wrote in German because Bohemia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the collapse of the empire at the end of World War One. His style and stories are unique-so unique that the adjective "kafkaesque" has been used to describe other authors' works.

If you have not read any of his works, I suggest you start with his short stories. His most famous story-The Metamorphosis/Die Verwandlung-would be a good place to start.

His most famous novel is The Castle, which is long but worth reading if you have the time. His unfinished novel Amerika is actually a lot of fun, and very surreal as well.

I'll be listening to The Metamorphosis.

I've wanted to read Letters to Milena for some time now, so I'll read it.

Being Jewish (like Kafka), I can so understand The Metamorphosis.

Kafka did not get along with his father and sometimes felt like an outsider in his own family.

If you ever go to Prague, be sure to visit the Kafka Museum if you like his work. It's worth the visit, especially the photographs and other artefacts. They depict the various aspects of his life, including his close friendship with Max Brod.

I just finished reading Metamorphosis. Creepy but captivating!

Poor Gregor! He got a raw deal out of life in that story.

I read Metamorphosis.

I never know quite what to make of that story, Trisha. What did you think?

Rosemarie wrote: "I never know quite what to make of that story, Trisha. What did you think?"

I think my view would be very unpopular! I read The Trial ages ago, but now think it’s time for me to give up on Kafka.

I loved The Metamorphosis when I first read it, and couldn't believe how...ahead of its' time it truly was/is. Crazy narrative viewpoints along with dark humor/observations. (From what I remember, anyways...gonna have to take a look at that one again, perhaps.)
Actually- maybe I'll try a 'new' work of his instead...--Jen from Quebec :0)

I've read The Trial, The Castle, and of course The Metamorphosis. The Trial was my favorite. If I didn't have a million other things I want to read right now I'd read Amerika.
I definitely agree with a lot of Kafka's views on society.

I never saw what the big mystery of The Metamorphosis was. Seems pretty obvious to me. (view spoiler)[He had a terminal illness. It made him seem disgusting like an insect to most people. At first the family had some sympathy but eventually he was just the dirty secret in the back of the house, abused by the maid, and the family was just wishing he would hurry up and die. Then he did. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha, Kafka is not for everyone! I read his works in German and read The Castle for a university German course. I think that his work loses a fair bit in translation. I thought The Trial was his worst book, by far.

Book Nerd, I never thought of that interpretation, but it makes sense.

Book Nerd wrote: "I've read The Trial, The Castle, and of course The Metamorphosis. The Trial was my favorite. If I didn't have a million other things I want to read right now I'd read Amerika.
I defini..."

I thought the same interpretation could be used because he was Jewish... the popular propaganda was all Jews are Vermin :(

Jazzy wrote: "Book Nerd wrote: "I've read The Trial, The Castle, and of course The Metamorphosis. The Trial was my favorite. If I didn't have a million other things I want to read right now I'd read [book:Amerik..."
Maybe that was part of it but he didn't just become Jewish one morning.

Rosemarie wrote: "Trisha, Kafka is not for everyone! I read his works in German and read The Castle for a university German course. I think that his work loses a fair bit in translation. I thought The Trial was his ..."
I wish I could read another language.

I really loved The Trial because it showed how things just gain inertia in society and they keep happening and snowballing for no logical reason.

I loved The Trial too, and thought it quite probably incredibly true!

PS if you want to learn to read in another language you can start by teaching yourself one! You'd be surprised how far you can get with free programmes and sites online.

Book Nerd wrote: "Jazzy wrote: "Book Nerd wrote: "I've read The Trial, The Castle, and of course The Metamorphosis. The Trial was my favorite. If I didn't have a million other things I want to read right now I'd rea..."

No he didn't but it could have been one time too many.

I found the main character in The Trial very irritating. He was his own worst enemy.

Praise to Franz K!

WhenI read The Metamorphosis I couldn't help thinking about Kafka's relationships with his family. He really didn't get along with his very materialistic father and felt like he didn't belong there. His whole family were of the same religion, and they were the ones who treated him so shabbily. They exploited him and took his money, but when he needed help,....

Rosemarie wrote: "WhenI read The Metamorphosis I couldn't help thinking about Kafka's relationships with his family. He really didn't get along with his very materialistic father and felt like he didn't belong there..."

It's probably a combination of everything. You know he would have lived through the pograms prior to the great war. And anti-semitism was rife at the time. Having his family at odds with him as well would have exacerbated his feelings.
Poor Kafka!

Jazzy wrote: "PS if you want to learn to read in another language you can start by teaching yourself one! You'd be surprised how far you can get with free programmes and sites online."
I've tried. And failed. I just don't have the brain for languages.

I've only read The Trial and The Metamorphosis. Somehow I couldn't get on with his style. I'm about to read his Letters to Milena. Maybe it'll help me to understand Kafka and his work better.

Book Nerd wrote: "Jazzy wrote: "PS if you want to learn to read in another language you can start by teaching yourself one! You'd be surprised how far you can get with free programmes and sites online."
I've tried. ..."

You're a very clever cookie! I think you just didn't find the right teacher xx

Rosemarie wrote: "Trisha, Kafka is not for everyone! I read his works in German and read The Castle for a university German course. I think that his work loses a fair bit in translation. I thought The Trial was his ..."

Thank you, Rosemarie. I think some books possibly don’t translate very well into other languages, though it depends partly on the skill of the translator too. But I can’t really use that as an excuse. Even though I don’t relate to Kafka’s ideas, it’s interesting to read such a variety of opinions from people about the same book.

He is certainly an interesting writer, Trisha.

Re: It's probably a combination of everything .... Poor Kafka!

Indeed! Who was it that wrote "The writer is the one who puts his pain on paper"?

If you enjoyed Metamorphosis, you might enjoy The Penal Colony.

I have already read The Metamorphosis and The Trial. And today I will start The Castle. I also have a copy of Amerika but I don't think I will have time to read it this month.

The Castle is long but worth reading since it is not as dark as his shorter works.

I read The Metamorphosis and it was much better than I expected. For some reason I've always thought it was a downer. If I really think about it, maybe it is, but on the surface I found parts of it rather humorous. I'm sure it was a commentary about a person's existance, and Kafka was quite clever in writing the story. I don't think I'll read anymore by him. It's the kind of thing I don't "get."

I think I know what you mean, Kathy. On the surface it may have humourous aspects, but it's a very dark humour.

Before Christmas, I bought a collection of short stories by Kafka. I’ve never read any of them but will try to read one this month. Any suggestions which one to start with?

It's been a while since I read his short stories,Pam, but The Hunger Artist is one that I remember-but it's very bleak.

I do not think his work will ever be categorised as feelgood escapism, but I like it.

Last month I started reading Franz Kafka: The Complete Novels and so far enjoying it even though one wouldn't find it a 'feelgood' read as mentioned by Bernard.
Some such as A Report to An Academy was interesting but also little absurd.

Rosemarie wrote: "His most famous novel is The Castle, which is long but worth reading if you have the time."

I never would have listed the Castle as his most famous. I think people generally know The Metamorphosis best. But from among his novels The Trial is probably the one most associated with this writer. Certainly for me The Trial was what my teacher chose to introduce us to... I do not feel the Castle is nearly as widely read. He has been one of my fav authors ever since high school.

Many people (esp in American public schools) read Kafka in religious terms and maybe there is a layer of that. But Kafka and the writer Jaroslav Hašek were anarchists and were part of a group in Prague that supported the cause Francisco Ferrer who was a well known anarchist teacher executed at Montjuich in Barcelona in 1910. So I have tended to look at his books and especially The Trial as a political critique of the State.

I think The Trial is probably my favourite, but I love all of his work. It's always been an instinctive enjoyment and pleasure, and I'd probably struggle to analyse why I enjoy Kafka so much. But I am totally confident that, until death or illness prevents it, I will continue to read and take pleasure from Kafka.

If you ever have a chance to go to Prague, don't miss the Kafka Museum!
Needless to say, I am fan of Kafka's works.

Rosemarie wrote: "If you ever have a chance to go to Prague, don't miss the Kafka Museum!
Needless to say, I am fan of Kafka's works."

I have been to Prague. I remember seeing some Kafka walking tours there but I somehow missed the Kafka museum. I went to the Mucha museum though and it really changed the way I understood Mucha's art.

The Kafka Museum was on the same side of the river as the castle, near the river.

I still can't believe I didn't go inside the museum after walking right in front of it. I feel like a complete idiot. But it's like I fly from Kafka just like I fly from his work. I liked Metamorphosis, But The Trial destroyed me forming any connection with Kafka.

Did you see the interesting statues, Piyangie?

Yes Piyangie, I also find his stories more pleasurable than the novels. The Samsa story is my favourite too.

Rosemarie wrote: "Did you see the interesting statues, Piyangie?"

Yes, Rosemarie. :) I'm wondering what they could mean. :)

Bernard wrote: "Yes Piyangie, I also find his stories more pleasurable than the novels. The Samsa story is my favourite too."

I'm glad to hear that, Bernard. Perhaps I'll try some of his short stories later on.

I've just read that the "streams" of water spell out messages. I think they depict a disgust of the general way the world is going.