The Metamorphosis [Paperback]

Franz Kafka (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2006

The Metamorphosis, first published in 1915, is the most famous of Kafka's works, along with The Trial and The Castle. The story begins when a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect. Curiously, his condition does not arouse surprise in his family, who merely despise it as an impending burden. As with all of Kafka's works, The Metamorphosis is open to a wide range of interpretations. Most obvious are themes relating to society's treatment of those who are different, the loneliness of isolation, and the absurdity of the human condition. Newly designed and typeset in a modern 5.5-by-8.5-inch format by Waking Lion Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 94 pages
• Publisher: Waking Lion Press (August 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600964222
• ISBN-13: 978-1600964220
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #677,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Important Work, Absolutely Unacceptable Translation, February 22, 2009

By 

Danny Cooper "Danny Cooper" (FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Metamorphosis (Paperback)

Kafka's 'The Metamorphisis' is as an important story as any when it comes to short fiction, but this translation is completely inept. If you're looking into picking up this edition, I assume you know about the story or can at least look up information elsewhere. Let me just warn you that this translation is not even proofread. There are constant typos like "tilted" instead of "titled" and the like. There are also many repeated words and sentences that make no sense no matter how many times you read them. In short, DO NOT BUY THIS EDITION.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Modern Life, September 17, 2010

By 

Timothy (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Metamorphosis (Paperback)

* " Franz Kafka is known as one of the darker authors as far as material is concerned. However, the fact of the matter is that he is a brilliant portrayer of reality. The Metamorphosis is Kafka's most well known work in the United States. This may be because the overwhelming majority of the citizens in the U. S. are middle class citizens that labor simply to sustain themselves or maintain their life styles. Kafka uses Gregor Samsa to portray the life of a western style worker that is disintegrating. Kafka was trying to warn us all to be aware of what we work toward, less we become worse than the vermin of the earth, for even vermin have natural routines." -

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treat for every reader, December 14, 2009

By 

Darrell Cozen "Chetvorno" (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Metamorphosis (Paperback)

This is a book you have heard of, and you have probably heard that Kafka is weird or heavy; but what a surprise pleasure to read. An amazing science fiction story with a moral message. Lots of fun. I laughed so hard. Only problem was that it is too short.