The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a book of despair and helplessness. Just imagine – you wake up one day and you have become a vermin. What do you do now? This may be a metaphor for the unexpected tragedies life throws at us. Not only us, but our families are left confused as to what they can do, much like Gregor’s family who had to deal with what their son had become as well as manage financially without his contribution. 

“for the time being he must remain calm, he must show patience and the greatest consideration so that his family could bear the unpleasantness that he, in his present condition, was forced to impose on them.”

I loved the writing and I can’t wait to read Kafka’s longer books. It was simple, but gripping and I especially enjoyed his frequent use of em dashes. 

This is a book of despair about a family that is struck with a very strange tragedy. Gregor is helpless in his condition and his family struggles to live with their son who is forever changed. This book has a lot of pain and misery, but it also shows love and care for one’s loved ones. Reading it was an interesting experience. I didn’t fully understand the larger meaning of this strange story but I did understand the emotions it seeked to evoke about the human condition, life, death, and relationships. 

I am really looking forward to reading Kafka’s other works. 

• Publication Year: 1915
• My Rating: 4/5

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