The Metamorphosis

by Franz Kafka
The Metamorphosis cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
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Waterstones
Paperback • £5.99–£12.99
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  • ID: 5510
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Published: 1972-01-01
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

Franz Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis' is a profound exploration of isolation and the human condition. The novella begins with Gregor Samsa awakening to find himself inexplicably transformed into a monstrous insect, a change that disrupts his life and relationships irreparably. /n/n Beyond its surreal plot, the story delves into the psychological and emotional turmoil of its protagonist, offering a critique of societal expectations and the dehumanizing effects of work and family dynamics. Kafka's unique style and the novella's open-ended nature have made it a cornerstone of modern literature.

Reviews
Reddit - Recommended Books · 2023-04-30
sad 3.50

The book is simple, straightforward, and extremely sad, with a powerful emotional impact. It's a short read that packs a punch with its themes of alienation and despair.

This review emphasizes the simplicity and directness of the story, noting how its straightforward narrative makes the emotional impact even more powerful. The reviewer finds the book to be extremely sad, with themes of alienation and despair that are deeply felt. They appreciate the book's ability to convey complex emotions in a relatively short format, making it a memorable and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    The book is simple, straightforward, and extremely sad.

    I should perhaps use a more advanced term for sad, but it is just sad.

    It's a short read that packs a punch with its themes of alienation and despair.

Madame Writer Blog · 2020-04-15
harrowing 4.00

The story is a profound exploration of isolation and alienation, wrapped in a surreal and unsettling narrative. It leaves a lasting impact with its haunting themes and vivid imagery.

This review highlights the deep emotional impact of the story, noting how it effectively portrays the loneliness and horror of Gregor's transformation. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to convey complex emotions through its surreal and often disturbing imagery. They also mention how the story's themes of alienation and familial rejection resonate strongly, making it a memorable and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    It's an interesting, if sad, story about a young man who wakes up as a giant insect and must live in complete isolation as his family becomes horrified by him.

    The story is a profound exploration of isolation and alienation, wrapped in a surreal and unsettling narrative.

    It leaves a lasting impact with its haunting themes and vivid imagery.

The Guardian · 2015-07-18
delightful 4.50

Kafka's tale remains shocking and delightful a century after its publication, showcasing its enduring relevance and impact. The story's surreal and absurd themes continue to captivate readers.

This review highlights the enduring relevance of Kafka's tale, noting how it continues to shock and delight readers a century after its publication. The reviewer appreciates the story's surreal and absurd themes, which they find both captivating and thought-provoking. They also mention how the story's exploration of alienation and transformation resonates strongly, making it a timeless and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    Kafka's tale of a man who wakes to find he has changed into a giant insect still has the power to shock and delight a century after it was first published.

    The story's surreal and absurd themes continue to captivate readers.

    The exploration of alienation and transformation resonates strongly, making it a timeless and impactful read.

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