Reading 1001 discussion

Rating: 3 Stars or less
Read: January 2017

This is not on par with some of Kafka's other novels. But, to his credit... it is his first novel, it is unedited, supposedly unfinished, and he gave instructions for it to be destroyed upon his death. It tells the story of a teenage boy who is sent to NYC to his rich uncle's home after getting the maid pregnant. The protagonist is annoyingly naive and does not seem to progress. The plot seems to fall apart about halfway through and the book loses its direction. It is obvious that Kafka has never been to NYC based upon his descriptions, especially that of the Statue of Liberty. I am not sure why this book is on the list and Metamorphosis is not.

Rating: 4 stars
Read: 4/22/2017

I read an audio book narrated by George Guidall. He does a very good job of narrated the story. Franz Kafka's last book and this translated is truer to the original condition. Kafka had left instructions to burn all his work. Thank goodness that wasn't done. This is the story of an immigrant that comes to the United States. It is like short little adventures here and there and nothing really goes well in the end. Probably the most reality based book Kafka wrote it was never finished but he thought of it as his American novel. Kafka never visited America. This book starts with a picture of the statue of liberty with a punishing sword and Karl our protagonist is being punished by being sent to America. As an immigrant his own desires are completely disregarded in this book. Everyone poor Karl meets take advantage of him and use him even though Karl is a nice guy and more than willing to help out his acquaintances. There is a sex scene in this book where Karl is basically raped by one of the servants. It is the reason he has been sent to Amerika. It is well done, if only author's could take a hint if they think sex scenes need to be a part of their books. The poor Karl does seem to finally find a home in Oklahoma but who knows if it would have lasted if Kafka had finished the book.

I thought this book was okay and gave it 3 stars. I thought The Trial dealt with similar themes of inescapable hardship and the lie of the honest society but thought it was achieved much better in that book. I am curious as to how he was intending to actually finish this book though had he the chance. But, as it stands, I did like the ending because it seemed hopeful in an open ended way.