Written in 1915

This starts out with a man who wakes up as a big bug. Like in Amy Rand's Atlas Shrugged, his whole family depends upon him to make a living. The story is less about him being a bug and more about how his Mother, Father and sister cope with losing the bread winner in the house.

It must be remembered that it was written in 1915. Recently I read a story that was a modern version of this story and the bug kills his family. I hate to admit it, but I liked the modern version better.

FK is a great writer of interpersonal relations, it just was not what I was expecting.

It was not bad and it is only 2 hours long.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

44 people found this helpful

So this guy wakes up as a bug...

So, this guy Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning as a cockroach. (Actually, the Wikipedia article has an interesting discussion about how Kafka never specified exactly what kind of bug Gregor turned into). His family freaks out a little, as you might expect, but then they sort of come to accept the situation. Gregor feels increasingly isolated as he cannot really communicate with them and he can no longer support them as he once did. Coexisting in a tiny apartment with a giant cockroachinsect becomes increasingly burdensome for the family. Eventually Gregor dies (implied, that he wills himself to death to spare his family further burden) and they're all relieved. The end.

Sort of a downer. I think it loses a lot in the translation, as apparently Kafka's prose in the original German was much of the reason for The Metamorphosis's high literary status.

This is a surrealistic piece which, technically, you could probably call "magical realism." (No explanation is ever given for Gregor's transformation into a giant bug, and no one seems curious about how such a thing could happen. They're just all rather distressed by the whole thing without ever really talking about it.

Frankly, as a story it was a bit flat and anti-climactic, and if there is some deeper meaning, I'm afraid I missed it. Would probably enjoy it more if I read it in the original German.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

27 people found this helpful

Kafka-esque terrific

Would you listen to The Metamorphosis again? Why?

A true classic. Works very well on audible. Almost a short story, but a wonderful narrative.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

15 people found this helpful

Well written, but kinda bugged me...

This book deserves its reputation as being very well written. The premise (man turns into giant bug overnight) is completely implausible, but the writing was good enough that I could suspend my disbelief with modest effort. The narration is also very well done.

That said, I was left wondering whether I'd gotten the key point. If I did I imagine it is that no matter how serious or weird a thing that might happen to a person, their loved ones' sympathies will eventually wear thin and they'll begin to see that person as a mill stone around their necks, financially at the very least. Then they will likely want to get on with their lives without that person.

If that's it, fine. It's a valid observation. Maybe because this book has a reputation as a classic I expected a bit more. Specifically, I expect classics to both make profound observations about life AND tell a really great story. (The second being more important than the first, in my view.) This book made its profound observation, but its premise seemed a bit more bizarre than would seem really necessary.

Four stars overall. Worth reading.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

Depressing, but good book

Would you listen to The Metamorphosis again? Why?

Yes, because it is always good to read about human nature.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character, Gregor Samsa. All the others are more disgusting than the creature he becomes.

Did Ralph Cosham do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

This was the second book I heard with this narrator. I didn't like him very much. It's a matter of taste, but I didn't like his voice and his interpretations. He sounded rather monotonous.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Well, I felt a bit disgusted throughout the book, and a bit depressed with the end. All in all it was a very good book. It makes you think about life.

Any additional comments?

This book is about a human being who lived among verminous creatures. When he becomes a nasty bug like them, they realize they have to start living like human beings.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

kafka's best

Where does The Metamorphosis rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The reading performance is excellant; But they all are very professionally done. As a book, I would rate this book as the the author's most original, well written, and profound.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Metamorphosis?

When even his fovorite sister betrays him, and the reader discovers Kafka's point of view on the human condition, that at bottom, we all are alone.

What does Ralph Cosham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Listening to an audio book is a challenge for me, because it requires a continiuos consentrated focus that reading doesn't require. I often look up and ponder ideas, sorting them out, while reading, and resume, without any loss of place in the written text. Listening doesn't allow for such breaks. It reminds me of the joys of listening to stories on the radio, before Tv as a child. I just have to practice such listening skills again.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I usually can't focus that long. I enjoy listening to a portion every day.

Any additional comments?

I'm happy I discovered AudioBooks. It brings a new kind of pleasure into my life.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

Wonderful

I do not usually read short stories but after listening to this audio and plan to discover more. This story is timeless and very entertaining. I will forever look at bugs differently. The narration by Ralph Cosham is excellent and perfect for this story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

I think I expected too much

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes, It is a very good story with a very good narration of it

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I do not dare to change anything

What about Ralph Cosham’s performance did you like?

Very good with a superb intonation.

Could you see The Metamorphosis being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

yes

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

Seeing is believing..my tail is still wagging

Would you consider the audio edition of The Metamorphosis to be better than the print version?

YES

Who was your favorite character and why?

The father, he could throw an apple faster than Roger Clemens

Which character – as performed by Ralph Cosham – was your favorite?

Gregor,the bug

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

DEFinitly

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for mosquito season

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

Quite a Strange Little Book

Translated from German, The Metamorphosis is the story of how Gregor Samsa's transformation tears his family apart. I feel like there are hidden meanings that are just beyond my grasp. I suspect it's a commentary about how capitalism devours its workers when they're unable to work or possibly about how the people who deviate from the norm are isolated. However, I mostly notice how Samsa's a big frickin' beetle and his family pretends he doesn't exist.

The main thing that sticks out is what a bunch of jerks Samsa's family are. He's been supporting all of them for years in his soul-crushing traveling salesman job and now they're pissed that they have to carry the workload. Poor things. It's not like Gregor's sitting on the couch drinking beer while they're working. He's a giant damn beetle! Cut him some slack.

Overall: The narration was good, although the writing was a little confusing at times. This has a lot of hidden symbolism , and might take a few listens to uncover.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful