![The Metamorphosis | [Franz Kafka]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tRX2j2JCL._SL175_.jpg "The Metamorphosis | [Franz Kafka]")
The Metamorphosis
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- Regular Price :$9.07Special Offer: Learn how to get this for $7.49 !
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Average Customer Rating
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LENGTH2 hrs and 3 mins
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RELEASE DATE04-27-11
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AUDIO FORMATS
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Program TypeAudiobook
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PUBLISHER
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Publisher's Summary
With this startling, bizarre, yet surprisingly funny first sentence, Kafka begins his masterpiece, The Metamorphosis. It is the story of a young traveling salesman who, transformed overnight into a giant, beetle-like insect, becomes an object of disgrace to his family, an outsider in his own home, a quintessentially alienated man. Rather than being surprised at the transformation, the members of his family despise it as an impending burden upon themselves.
A harrowing - though absurdly comic - meditation on human feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and isolation, The Metamorphosis has taken its place as one of the most widely read and influential works of 20th-century fiction. As W. H. Auden wrote, “Kafka is important to us because his predicament is the predicament of modern man.”
FRANZ KAFKA (1883–1924), one of the major fiction writers of the twentieth century, was born to a middle-class German-speaking Jewish family in Prague. His unique body of writing, much of which is incomplete and was mainly published posthumously, is considered by some people to be among the most influential in Western literature, inspiring such writers as Albert Camus, Rex Warner, and Samuel Beckett.
© Public Domain (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
What the Critics Say
“In The Metamorphosis Kafka reached the height of his mastery: he wrote something which he could never surpass, because there is nothing which The Metamorphosis could be surpassed by - one of the few great, perfect poetic works of this century.” (Elias Canetti, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1981)
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What Members Say
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"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.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful -
Wayne Elie GREEN BAY, WI, United States 04-30-12 Member Since 2012I've since moved to Green Bay, WI, from the Twin Cities, 9/2011. Love the Twin Cities.
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"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.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Elaine Portola Valley, Ca, United States 04-06-12 Member Since 2011I did not learn to read until I was in my twenties. Have not stopped since. The two most important things to learn are reading & chess.
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"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.
0 of 0 people found this review 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
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
J. J. E. Mekes ROTTERDAM, Netherlands 01-30-12 Listener Since 2008
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- 5
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"Great symbolism, powerful story"
What did you love best about The Metamorphosis?Kafka manages to pack a lot of emotion and powerful imagery into a reasonably short story. It really makes the reader think about how they relate to the characters, and how they think about others, especially the
What other book might you compare The Metamorphosis to and why?I haven't read anything like it myself. The concept of a man turning into an insect is just incredibly unique, and Kafka wrote it all down very well.
Have you listened to any of Ralph Cosham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?I haven't, but I have played The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, in which Cosham voiced several characters. If you're familiar with his voice work, you'll know what to expect. I think he has a very pleasant voice to listen to, despite (or perhaps thanks to?) a slight lisp. He enunciates very well, speaking the words and phrases carefully and deliberately, but without it turning monotonous.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?That's a tough one... I'm not sure you could capture the idea of the story in a catchphrase, but perhaps something like
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
James Springfield, MO, United States 09-04-12 Member Since 201054 years old, blue collar worker, I like imported beer, when it is not hay fever season. Favorite authors; Card, King, Hobb, Koontz, Clarke, Iggulden, Silverberg, Michener, Krakauer
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"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.0 of 2 people found this review helpful