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Metamorphosis  By  cover art

Metamorphosis

By: Franz Kafka
Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch
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Publisher's summary

Benedict Cumberbatch reads Franz Kafka's famous story of man-turned-insect, Metamorphosis.

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile

After a night of troubled dreams, Gregor Samsa wakes to discover that he has turned into a huge, monstrous, cockroach-like creature, with an armour-plated back and multiple limbs.

Gradually, he comes to terms with his new state - but his parents and sister are horrified and increasingly revolted. To them, Gregor is unclean, verminous and entirely repellent, and as he becomes more and more of a burden, their horror turns to a terrible indifference....

First published in 1915, Kafka's surreal existential novella explores concepts such as the absurdity of life, alienation and the disconnect between mind and body. Read by Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Star Trek, The Imitation Game), this tale - often described as one of the greatest in the history of fiction - is chilling, captivating and darkly comic.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

What listeners say about Metamorphosis

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Performance, quick listen, interesting

Basically, it's all just variations on a theme; spoiler alert (100+ years after publication, not much to spoil), the main character wakes up as an insect. The rest is just a rumination on that condition. But, it's a great reading by Cumberbatch. And it's under two hours, so an easy way to hear a 20th century classic.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Very Sad

Emotional story of humanity and much more. With a narrator like this you want it to go on forever just to hear his voice. Beautiful job.

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23 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic.

I personally identify with many of Kafka's characters, especially with Gregor in "The Metamorphosis." Kafka's writings will make you think deeply about sacrifices made in vain.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great narration

I could listen to Benedict Cumberbatch any day! This story was quite odd and I actually expected a different ending! But I encourage you to listen to the whole thing!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best, with amazing narration

This was already one of my favorite books. Add Benedict Cumberbatch? =magic. Get this now.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Like listen to a play

The cost at first seems, unnecessary but once you start listening to it it is immediately understood why it costs more than other versions. The narration is amazing and his voice fits the tone of the book. But the best part is the musical transitions. It makes the book almost like listening to a play rather than just a reading.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Great Narration

This makes me wish Cumberbatch did more narration work. He did a great job of bringing this classic to life and not making it feel dated—which can happen from time to time with some narrators.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Dark and Subdued

Ol’ B.C. really took his cues from the material on this one. What an odd story to confront.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good story

I actually never read this story in High School as my daughter did. At first I really didn't get it. I am not used to this style of writing. I listened to it several times and realized how extraordinary this work is. This is my second copy of the book. I just couldn't resist Benedict Cumberbatch as the reader. Any book he reads gives the book a difficult style. And I like that. I have several books read by Benedict Cumberbatch.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

New to fiction

I usually don’t read fiction. I have to search for a while before I decide a story is worth me reading. For the most part I read self help types of books on heath, mental health and spirituality. I enjoyed this book because it was not too long. I enjoyed the voice of the performer and the author. I liked how very absurd and also relatable it was. I would recommend this book.

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