Customer Reviews

The METAMORPHOSIS AND OTHER STORIES: THE GREAT SHORT WORKS OF FRANZ KAFKA

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This was my first exposure to Kafka, and was actually in audiobook form, with a masterful narration by George Guidall. It was a very well-rounded collection, including The Metamorphosis, The Stoker, A Country Doctor, and Visit to a Penal Colony.

I won't pretend that I understood all of the political/religious symbolism, but was captivated by the dark humor and weird, despairing ambience of these character studies. There isn't a lot of conventional dramatic movement, but the power of these surreal images and bizarre viewpoints sneaks up on you. Kakfa has a narrative voice that is utterly unique. I found that it gained power upon re-reading(hearing), and promptly loaded up cassette one as soon as I reached the end.

Book came in a decent amount of time in excellent condition. Great bargain, especially for a hardcover edition.

Metamorphosis was my first introduction to Kafka and I found his dark humour unsettling yet addictive. Samsa plagued and burdened with poverty and family responsibility, is in the end betrayed by himself and his loved ones in a dramatic turn of events. As a "useful" and able man, he was respected and cared for by his parents and loved by his sister. But after the metamorphosis, his family at first tolerated him, his sister perhaps pitied him, but towards the end, it turned to hate and disgust. They realised Samsa had become a burden and embarassment to the family. A useless vermin stuck to the family walls. Metaphor taken to great heights. Physically and intellectually an insect, but emotionally and spiritually still a man.

Translations are generally taken for granted.

Only recently have I been re-reading books translated by different authors to compare the interpretation of the author's orignial intent, mood and word choice. Kafka has been a longtime favorite and I have been using the same translation with every pass. Then I came across the audio version of this book.

When some of my favorite passages would come up I would be surprised at the change of words; sometimes an improvement, other times a disappointment.

In the introduction, a note on the translation explains the disparity of the various translations starting with his most famous story, The Metamorphosis. For example, the typical narrations begins by calling the newly transformed creature an ugly insect. However, when looking at the original German, translator Joachim Neugroschel changes it to "monsterous vermin," a significant difference. I can't remember the German words, but they look like the direct translation would be monstrous vermin, and clearly not "insect."

The authors extended discussion of the translation on the audio book made me feel better about his grasp of both languages, poetry and the intent of the author. So I can almost for give differences like "a pack of nobodies" being changed to "a bunch of nobodies." I prefer "pack" for its comparisons to wolves over "bunch" for its comaprison to bananas.

The translation should not be considered an "updated version" because that would imply simplification or modernization of the text. It still reads like it comes from Kafka's age. This version is great for a first time Kafka reader, a dedicated fan who wants to compare the language interpretations, or for someone who wants to re-experience the genius of Kafka.

I would give this book 5 stars if it were a complete collection of stories. Some of the ones that still haunt me are missing.