“The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka (Czech Republic)

Review

Readers really enjoyed both the story, which they felt had been honed and polished, and the style of writing, which they described as clear and precise despite some formal language used at times. They all found Gregor Samsa a highly likeable character and felt compassion for his plight. Everyone agreed that the characters’ emotions were powerfully described, as were the relationships between the different family members. A general discussion ensued about the significance of the many elements in the story, first and foremost, Gregor’s transformation into an insect, and some interesting and contradictory ideas were put forward. Readers felt it was a story that needed to be read and studied many times in order to grasp its full meaning. Overall, the book averaged an 8 out of 10.

Synopsis

A commercial traveller is unexpectedly freed from his dreary job by his inexplicable transformation into an insect, which drastically alters his relationship with his family… Read more

Nicola’s Book Club reading list 

Season 15 – “Fantasy and the Fantastic” (Feb – Jun 2012)

“The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka (Czech Republic)
“Living in the Maniototo” by Janet Frame (New Zealand) *
“A Brief Life” by Juan Carlos Onetti (Uruguay)
“The Icarus Girl” by Helen Oyeyemi (Nigeria)
“The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe (U.S.)

* The book club favourite