The Complete Stories

by Flannery O'Connor, Franz Kafka
The Complete Stories cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Short Story Collections
Technical
  • ID: 5644
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780805210552
  • Publisher: Schocken
  • Published: 1995-11-14
  • Reviews: 3

The Complete Stories brings together the entire narrative work of Franz Kafka, excluding only his three novels. This comprehensive collection includes iconic tales such as 'The Metamorphosis', 'In the Penal Colony', and 'A Hunger Artist', as well as shorter pieces and fragments released posthumously by Kafka's literary executor, Max Brod. The stories are celebrated for their dreamlike, allegorical, and often grotesque nature, capturing the essence of modern man's cosmic predicament./n/nCritics and readers alike have praised Kafka's work for its unique blend of symbolism, humor, and prophetic insight. The New York Times described the stories as 'dreamlike, allegorical, symbolic, parabolic, grotesque, ritualistic, nasty, lucent, extremely personal, ghoulishly detached, exquisitely comic, numinous, and prophetic.' This volume is a must-read for anyone interested in the depths of human experience and the complexities of modern life.

Reviews
The Storygraph · 2023-01-01
profound 4.00

Kafka's work is not overrated but could have benefited from better editing. The collection is praised for its depth but criticized for its lack of editorial oversight.

The reviewer acknowledges Kafka's significance but believes his work could have been better presented with more editing. They appreciate the depth and complexity of Kafka's stories but note that the lack of editorial oversight detracts from the overall experience. Despite this, the collection is seen as a valuable addition to any literature enthusiast's library, offering profound insights into human nature and society.

Quick quotes

    Kafka is not an overrated classic.

    He was sadly under-edited.

    The collection offers profound insights into human nature.

Medium - Book Rambles · 2022-01-01
profound 4.00

The collection explores themes of alienation and the absurd, offering a unique perspective on conformity. The writing is praised for its depth and insight.

The reviewer delves into Kafka's exploration of alienation and the absurd, highlighting how these themes challenge societal norms. They appreciate the depth and insight in Kafka's writing, noting that it offers a unique perspective on conformity and individuality. The collection is seen as a profound exploration of human experiences, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in existential themes.

Quick quotes

    Kafka's writing is a masterclass in exploring the absurd.

    The collection is a profound exploration of alienation and conformity.

    Kafka's stories offer a unique perspective on human experiences.

Quora · 2017-01-01
brilliant 4.50

Kafka's stories are unique and enjoyable, with some being very short and accessible. The writing is praised for its brilliance and storytelling prowess.

The reviewer highly recommends Kafka's stories, noting their uniqueness and enjoyment. They appreciate the variety in length, making it accessible for readers. Kafka's brilliance as a storyteller is highlighted, with the reviewer praising his ability to captivate readers with his unique style. The collection is seen as a must-read for those interested in classic literature.

Quick quotes

    Kafka is/was a brilliant storyteller.

    His fiction is unique and captivating.

    Start with the shorter stories to get a feel for his writing.

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