The Metamorphosis

The first time I read this was almost 40 years ago , this week my son wanted to discuss it and I decided to re- read it. It is still the most moving and poignant short stories I have ever read and admittedly reading it as an adult gave me a different perspective. I encourage anyone to revisit their high school or college reads, they are even better the second (or third ) time.

Interesting and held my attention. Though I tried to imagine what actual kinds of changes the main character went through, I really could not visualize the bug he says he had become.

What seem on the surface to be a cute little story about a man turning into a bug takes on greater depth when you ask: who is the head of the family and who was before, who is the prisoner and who was the prisoners before this metamorphosis? Sometimes the monster sees themself as the hero.

A really strange book by Franz Kafka

An odd and interesting story. I gave it four stars, not only because I found it an entertaining story but also because of its literary importance. So many interpretations over the years. I viewed it as social comment. Another interesting view is that the metamorphosis refers to the change in Grete, not Gregor. I read that Kafka wanted no illustrations of Gregor. Leaving the reader to his own imagination. Regardless of the "correct" interpretation, I recommend the story for anyone interested in Kafka's work.

We live backed up to a wooded area so my SO and I have run-ins with large water bugs often. The other night, while we were sleeping, one fell on my SO's back and we both had quite a fright. We even believed he had been bit because it had fallen hard. After that we have had a running joke that he is turning into a water bug. I read this Kafka short story in one of my college lit classes and really loved it. Years later, the incident with the water bug on the bed made me think of the story again, so I bought it and gave it to my SO. We had a good laugh and he is re-reading the story for the first time since college. Very happy with the book, the cover illustrations and the seller.

The story may be a little confusing to novices with English, but overall it's a very simple novel to follow and read. Kafka uses a lot of depressing, dark humor throughout, so it's sometimes hard to know if we the readers are supposed to be laughing or feeling bad for the characters. I would recommend as a read, since it's so short, but it's not going to fall anywhere near my "favorites" bin anytime soon.

I was sad and share, at moments, the feelings of isolation. I always long for metamorphosis, and hope my next one will be more like a butterfly than beetle. Maybe that is Gregor’s next chapter, too.

It's brilliant!

This is the first time I've picked a Franz Kafka book and it's quite fascinating. It will take time for us to get absorbed.

Amazing piece of literature

A frustrating story that could have been written or ended in a different way to give satisfaction to the reader.