//Book Review//
Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka[audiobook/ 2hr34mins],
translated by Ian Johnston and narrated by David Richardson
#ReadHarder2024
-Read a book in translation from a country you’ve never visited-
Today (2024, August 18) I finished the audiobook Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, translation by Ian Johnston and narrated by David Richardson. The story starts off with Gregor Samsa waking up one day to find out he transformed into a “monstrous, verminous bug” and that he is late for work. The audiobook spans 2 hours and 34 minutes.
For unexplainable reasons, Gregor wakes up one day and finds out he is giant bug. In the midst of his panicking, Gregor was having a short back and forth with himself on whether to call in sick- which he says wouldn’t have worked since he had never been sick at work before. He then starts lamenting about his job and the stress that comes with it from being the only financial provider for his parents and younger sister.
My favorite part without a doubt is after his manager shows up at Gregor’s apartment- they noticed Gregor was late to work -and it’s revealed to Mr. Manager and Gregor’s parents that Gregor was a giant bug, the manager makes a “uuuuhhhhhhhuuu??????” Sound which was really funny during the audiobook. Alongside that, I liked when Gregor was (trying) to talk to Mr. Manager about his situation and requesting he put a good word in for Gregor back at the workplace, but 2 problems with that: 1, Gregor can only make inhuman hissing sounds; 2, Mr. Manager made intense eye contact with Gregor’s bug form while he walked backwards to the door before running.
I’d recommend this story to those that like absurdist tales with social commentary on the workplace and caretaking; a melancholy story about change; and the ultimate, “would you still love me if I were an [insect] plot. I’d give this story a 4.5/5.