Quotations and Literature Forum

Has anyone here read any Franz Kafka, and if so, what did you think of it?
I've heard some mixed feelings about his writings.

I just finished The Metamorphosis and am now reading The Hunger Artist.

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To be loved, be lovable.

Being able to read his books in German ( as he originally wrote them) , I can only say that they move me. "Die Verwandlung" , or as known in English Metamorphesis I see in a different light now after reading the letter that Kafka wrote to his father, but which his father never received. I believe that in there are many parts to which people can relate to.

I'm a big fan of German literature and so I give Kafka thumbs up

I read Die Verwandlung at school - it's quite special. Fascinating on one hand (very metaphorical!) but also a bit, well, "strange". His syle, however, I find very good.
Isn't Der Prozess also by Kafka, IIRC? That one I didn't like at all. Strange.

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Carpe diem

I have looked this up because there was a reference to it in a Michael Caine movie called DeathTrap.

It appears on one hand to be a holiday celebrating (I think) a saint - the night before May 1.

In the Faust ballet it is referred to as the descent into hell with Mephistopheles on that day and thus is possibly a reference to Michael Caine having had a very bad day.

OOPS, that Goethe--well any thoughts? I think mephistopheles and metamorphosis must have done it to me.

Kafka's childlife was a nightmare, his adultlife was the same...although I can't remember the details. Kafka metamorphesis (If you haven't read this...GO READ IT) gives a surrealist view into the life of Gregor Salma. (sorry if I spelled that wrong) This surrealist view gives us a very realist visualization of such a bizarre situation...Absurdity! Kafka was concerned with the adsurdity going on throughout the society. Ah...Kafka was a Jewish male born into a Catholic society. People were murdering each other because of difference of opinions over "Christ" vs. Jesus the prophet from Nazareen.

His themes and ideas are brilliantly placed into his writing. I recommend picking up some Kafka but I am through with him; a little to strange for my taste.

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Ben Miller
Purdue University

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education--Mark Twain

the hunger artist is "remarkable". good choice !
i plan to read letters to milena recently.
i read his "aforisms" (i dont know its english again ) many times...