Reading Kafka’s stories can be challenging because you have to pay attention and give them your interpretation to know the best of them.
Kafka is revered for his distinct expression and distinctive writing style, and it is easy to recognize his works. No matter what labels you put on his writing, you can never call him illogical because no one understands the complexities of the modern world and, above all, its cruelty and the overridden guilt we carry with us every day like a stash of money, as he does.
So, here is a list of where you could start this journey of reading Kafka.
#1 The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka (Translated by Susan Bernofsky)
Franz Kafka
About the book
Title: The Metamorphosis
Author: Franz Kafka (Translated by Susan Bernofsky)
Genre: Absurdist fiction
Type: Standalone
Pages: 128
Goodreads rating: 3.84/5
Gregor Samsa awakens in his bed to realize that he has been transformed into a huge bug—the vermin. He struggles to understand what exactly has happened and examines his small room, which appears to him to be normal, but he develops the strangest suspicion that this may not be the case. As a result, it tells the tale of a young guy who, after transforming into a big insect-like being overnight, finds himself an outcast in his own house and a man who embodies alienation. A particularly heartbreaking yet absurdly funny rumination on how inadequate, guilty, and alone we feel as humans.
Why do we recommend this book?
The piece was an attempt to reveal a brutally accurate yet terrible side of society, one in which its members are typically ignored, degraded, and destroyed once they are no longer needed.
For one thing, even family is no exception to this. Kafka demonstrates that, as humans, we are bound to change and evolve, but we may not have the support of everyone through that journey.
This story lends itself to so many different interpretations and designs; Kafka excels at doing this. Also, he leaves you with no explanations or answers, just a straightforward account of what occurred and how it turned out.
Buy your copy of The Metamorphosis, click the link now:
#2 The Trial by Franz Kafka
About the book
Title: The Trial
Author: Franz Kafka
Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Absurdist Fiction, Paranoid Fiction
Type: Standalone
Pages: 294
Goodreads rating: 3.96/5
Two warders detain Joseph K., a bright, ambitious young bank employee, even though he has committed no crimes. So, K. is furious and upset, and his thirty-first birthday falls on this particular morning. Two warders arrive for K. once more on the morning of his 31st birthday. A year later, they executed him in the name of the Law. K. does not protest this. Also, the Trial is an account of the interim year in K.’s case, including his challenges and run-ins with the untouchable Court and invisible Law.
In the end, even if it is a description of state-induced self-destruction. But the “message,” like in all of Kafka’s best writing, is not obvious.
Why do we recommend this book?
Surely, after finishing the book, the reader is left with an overwhelming sensation of confusion. Still, there is no clear explanation for what occurred, and the events make no logical sense. However, K. is just as perplexed by the bizarre events as the reader is. The events are absurd and incomprehensible; thus, this book will always haunt me with questions for the rest of my life.
The books of Kafka are an experience that stays with you forever.
Buy your copy of The Trial, click the link now:
#3 The Burrow by Franz Kafka
About the book
Title: The Burrow
Author: Franz Kafka
Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Absurdist Fiction, Paranoid Fiction
Type: Standalone
Pages: 32
Goodreads rating: 3.82/5
Kafka left several stories unfinished before he passed away, including this one. Hence it was released as a posthumous book in 1931. It is a strange and unsettling tale about a creature that tunnels via a network of tunnels it has constructed over its lifespan. Still, the creature’s continual fears include something occurring to his burrow or a certain type of adversary attack. So, he starts to grow preoccupied with noise and decides to look into it. Soon the entrance of a beast that upsets the system is regarded as the intended way for the narrative to come to a close.
Why do we recommend this book?
The yearning for a calm home free from danger and capable of providing peace of mind is priceless beyond all comprehension because the world is noisy.
The mole has earned his right to serenity in his home via hard work and intelligence, but he cannot take pleasure in it since he is aware of the coming reality. Also, he is aware that something will one day knock on his door and completely upend his world.
Though he is writing about a mole, the realism in these lines is unweaving as we are all plagued by this fear.
Buy your copy of The Burrow, click the link now:
#4 The Castle by Franz Kafka
About the book
Title: The Castle
Author: Franz Kafka
Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Absurdist Fiction, Paranoid Fiction
Type: Standalone
Pages: 179
Goodreads rating: 3.94/5
So, in The Castle, “K,” the main character, travels to a village searching for a castle. He tried to achieve this assignment, and sadly, Franz Kafka passed away before completing the book.
Why do we recommend this book?
Compared to his other works that I have read, Kafka’s characters in The Castle were more poignant and felt more deep. Therefore the fact that the book ended in the middle of a sentence was quite upsetting.
Also, Kafka underlines our struggle to establish our place in the world we belong to by using his trademark humor.
Buy your copy of The Castle, click the link now:
#5 Letters to Milena by Franz Kafka
About the book
Title: Letters to Milena
Author: Franz Kafka
Genre: Letters
Type: Standalone
Pages: 307
Goodreads rating: 3.82/5
Milena Jesenská, a young woman who translated several of Franz Kafka’s works into Czech, received several letters from him. They only had two or three meetings, but their relationship was powerful as the letters reached our show. Most of Milena’s answers are lost, but some are hinted at in Kafka’s letters. So, they provide a priceless window into the author’s universe. Also, Kafka confides in Milena his crushed expectations and nearly dejected hopes. So, in these letters, he comes across as someone plagued by insomnia, violent coughing fits, and dread of himself, other people, and life. This greatness you will find in lots of books by Kafka.
Why do we recommend this book?
By all means, it is an extensive, beautiful work of writing. Also, how can one not believe in love after reading this line “I mustn’t look at you too much, or I won’t be able to take my eyes off you at all?”
At the same time, Kafka wrote many letters to different people, which are now archived and seen as literary works. One of his famous collections of letters is to Felice about their friendship, their engagement, their breakup, their second engagement, their breakup, and finally, his passing. We travel with him through the hundreds of letters as he falls more and more in love with Felice, confides in her about his troubles, and makes room in his life for her among his writing.
Letters from Kafka to his loved ones span over two decades in Letters to Friends, Family, and Editors, which has an entirely distinct feel. They span from the early 1900s, when he was a student in Prague, until right before his passing in 1924.
His friend Max Brod compiled these letters. Surely check out these letters if you want to know more about his personal life.
Buy your copy of Letters to Milena, click the link now:
Lastly, reading books by Kafka is heavy with emotions and social issues, and it challenges your thinking so that you will have a wholesome experience. Do tell us which is your favorite book and also tell us which part you liked more.
Here is the sum up of all the books of Kafka we discussed above for you so you can pick your favorite book.
| 1. | The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka (Translated by Susan Bernofsky) | Buy Now |
| 2. | The Trial by Franz Kafka | Buy Now |
| 3. | The Burrow by Franz Kafka | Buy Now |
| 4. | The Castle by Franz Kafka | Buy Now |
| 5. | Letters to Milena by Franz Kafka | Buy Now |
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