The Metamorphosis and Other Stories

a man wakes up, finds he's changed into a bug and his first concern is how will he get to work on time. It is a sad reflection on how habit-bound our thinking is; it never occurs to Gregor Samsa that he can use his insect abilities. Kafka makes us look at ourselves in a way other writers haven't.

If you like me havn't read Kafka before this is a nice introduction with a medium length story in Metamorphosis but also some small ones to whet the appetite. Also a good compact size for reading standing up on the train and looking intellectual to the blonde standing next to you. His attention to detail and imagination is very thought provoking and whilst not for everyone this is a good book to buy to decide wether you appreciate his unique style. Incidentally if you like his story telling a visit to prague is a must and the very atmospheric museum there.

Difficult to find words to describe how I feel about this collection of short fiction - bizarre, weird, strange tortured are the ones uppermost in my mind. Always wondered what his writing would be like but I did not enjoy it.

For anyone who has ever considered themselves to be above prejudice or discrimination, then this is a must read. It levels your self image and aspirations to humanity without bias. Short, pithy, and bizarre as this story is, it is nothing if not thought provoking. Just look when it was written and then think what kind of a mind could write this then? Unforgettable.

Almost gave up finishing this book, but in the end it taught me an important lesson about change.