Metamorphosis and Other Stories (Penguin Modern Classics) Paperback – March 7, 2019

Fabulous modern classic author. Book quality and font superb. A joy to read.

I’ve been wanting to read metamorphosis for MONTHSSS, I’m so excited to read this and get into more of Kafkas works!

A book of many of Kafka's works, in chronological order, an anthology of his development as a writer and thinker.Metamorphosis is the main course in this menu - and what a strange and tasty dish. This is a well known tale, man becomes beetle, `the passion of Gregor Samsa' and the redemption of his family, renewed and re-engineered for a brave new future following the death and disposal of "that thing".Beyond Metamorphosis, the book largely comprises Kafka's short pieces, vignettes which can be enjoyed simply for the beauty of the prose or as confrontations to promote further discussion. Some of Kafka's prose is indeed beautiful, but much of it is also unnerving, with very long sentences that feature arguments, counters and predetermined conclusions. This is particularly so with "Josefine, the Songstress or: The Mouse People" the final piece in the book. Josefine's `piping' is examined from every perspective - saviour of the nation, cause of its destruction, good, bad, indifferent, an ever enduring presence.There is also horror in the cold, clinical self destruction of "The Penal Colony" and the psychosis (or is it hyper-reality?) of Kafka's "Unhappiness". I don't know if Kafka and Munch ever met - but it seems they were kindred spirits. From Unhappiness - "I screamed out loud, only to hear the scream which meets with no answer and which nothing can diminish in its power, so that it goes on rising without a counterbalance and cannot even stop after its sound is gone ..." Wonderful - worth reading the book to be left with that thought alone.

I just received the book and I must say it stands out. I love the rough cut of the pages! So original. Good paper quality and beautifully laid out.

All good nice edition

i had to read one of the stories in this collection for school but afterwards the rest of the stories were just kinda there. after reading I would say this is a great introduction to kafka's writing style and other popular works

The paper quality is very good with fairly thick paper with an old fashioned cut. Great cover with nice art work outside and in. Best quality book I’ve purchased on Amazon. Stories are positively Kafkaesk!