The Metamorphosis and Other Stories (Oxford World’s Classics)
It is one of the most memorable first lines in all of literature: “When Gregor Samsa woke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into some kind of monstrous vermin.” So begins Kafka’s famous short story, The Metamorphosis. Kafka considered publishing it with two of the stories included here in a volume to be called Punishments. The Judgment explores an enigmatic power struggle between a father and son, while In the Penal Colony examines questions of power, justice, punishme
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(out of 28 reviews)
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Review by A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com for The Metamorphosis and Other Stories (Oxford World’s Classics)
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“Look, I’m a Bug!” No, no, no… the plight of Gregor Samsa as he awoke as a beetle is no laughing matter. In this tidy little Dover edition, Kafka’s famous short story breathes of the futility and alienation men face, and the fear in the midst of it all.”The Metamorphosis and Other Stories” is worth every penny.The beauty of the Dover edition is the ability to sample Kafka, rather than indulge in a complete works. He is not for everyone, but at such an inexpensive price, you’ll get to taste his style and complex ideas.Note that there are several stories here, including the oddly-styled one paragraph “A Country Doctor,” which effectively challenges the view of common man of the almost godlike pedestal we put doctors on.Stories include:
The Judgment
The Metamorphosis
In a Penal Colony
A Country Doctor
A Report to an AcademyI fully recommend “The Metamorphosis and Other Stories” by Franz Kafka. The price can’t be beat, and would make a great addition to a larger Amazon purchase.Anthony Trendl
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I have never been able to determine what it is about this story that I find so compelling. I don’t have a defeated and alienated outlook, but still I relate to Gregor. More than that, I feel compassion for him. It’s such a deeply sad story, and it says so much about the way people can objectify others. His family really uses him for their own selfish comfort, rather than truly loving him for who he is. For some strange reason, though, I find some hope in the story. By telling it, Kafka tells us that people should not be treated this way, or should not be made to feel unloved or insignificant. As with most moral fiction, the story is negative, I believe, for the purpose of effecting change. We don’t have to treat others badly, and we don’t have to allow ourselves to become alienated and neglected. By recognizing the pain, we can attempt to change this dynamic.Perhaps I’m too optimistic for the spirit of the story, but that’s what I see. I’ve taught this story to my students, and some of them get that, while others find the story annoying. Still, I continue to be compelled to read it and to teach it again.
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As someone who had only read “The Metamorphosis,” I found this collection of Kafka’s works to be very refreshing. Since I had not enjoyed reading “The Metamorphosis” in high school I was skeptical about reading other works by Kafka. I was pleasantly surprised when I read “In the Penal Colony”, “A Country Doctor”, and “A Report to an Academy.” These works were assigned as part of a college class I had, and I found that they were not only very personally thought provoking, but they inspired a lot of insightful in-class discussion. I would recommend this collection to anyone who has not yet read any of Kafka’s works, or who have only read The Metamorphosis.
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This story is one of pure genius. Upon reading the first paragraph I was baffled. The story is pure: it begins with a climax, one it takes a few pages to believe. None of us have ever been exactly in Gregor’s position, but everyone can identify with his struggle. Well-written and poignant, this short story deserves a go by everyone. Begin and end the piece with an open mind.
Review by Andy for The Metamorphosis and Other Stories (Oxford World’s Classics)
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the Metamophosis is INCREDIBLE. It is one of the greatest stories I have ever read. I found it extremely disturbing, especially the ending. After I finished, I was kept awake for an hour or two in bed just thinking about it. A MUST for any reader.