The Metamorphosis, In the Penal Colony, and Other Stories (Schocken Kafka Library)

Rating:
Summary: A Different Style
Review: Frankly, I have only read the Metamorphosis and the Penal Colony. I will admit that both were a bit unusual, but I fell in love with the Penal Colony. It's laconic, but extremely well written (kudos to the translator). Given it's length, I'd suggest it to anyone looking for a shortcut to one of literature's masterpieces. As for the Metamorphosis, I cannot say the same. God only knows (as Kafka cannot tell us) was what he meant with the transformation of Gregor into a cockroach. I found the that story simply bizarre.

Rating:
Summary: Hard to understand but easy to be in awe.
Review: I picked up this collection of short stories after hearing Kafka's name in history class and seeing the book on the shelf for five dollars at Borders. One of the best five dollars i've ever spent!

I will admit, some of the time I was lost in the stories, if not always, but it's hard not to appreciate Mr. Kafka's monumental writing expertise and style, and the translator as well did an amazing job (although I have no frame of reference, I haven't read any other versions nor do I speak German to read Kafka's originals).

I recommend this to anyone who likes to think deep and can appreciate amazing writing.

Rating:
Summary: Mmmmm .... Kafka
Review: Said plainly, Kafka was one bizarre man. His Contemplation is not much more than various mental wanderings, but The Metamorphosis and In the Penal Colony make for wonderful short stories. Curl up and read THIS on your dark and stormy night! These are really delicious stories.

I've looked into other translations, and I wasn't pleased ... this one seems far superior. Joachim Neugroschel goes for the most basic, uncluttered, uncomplicated way of interpreting Kafka. One would think that this would make the text thin and anemic, but it really makes all the greater impact: "One morning, upon awakening from agitated dreams, Gregor Samsa found himself, in his bed, transformed into a monstrous vermin." Other translations seem to wander, and find larger, more complicated ways of saying "agitated dreams" or "monstrous vermin." Even though I wish I knew German, I find this English translation of a very high quality.