The Metamorphosis
by Franz Kafka · 1915
Buy on AmazonGregor Samsa hates his job. He works himself to exhaustion as a traveling salesman to support a family that takes him for granted. One morning, his whole life changes. He wakes up to discover that he has turned into a giant insect. As he and his family come to grips with the fantastical event, The Metamorphosis explores themes of alienation, family loyalty, and unconditional love.
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"Kafka's exploration of alienation and the absurd fits Lex Fridman's interest in the human condition and the philosophical underpinnings of existence, particularly as technology reshapes our understanding of self."
Lex Fridman's Reading List · lexfridman.com
"I reference The Metamorphosis in therapy more than anything."
By the Book: David Adjmi Stereophonic · nytimes.com
"The books I read as a child made me want to write: Kafka's "Metamorphosis.""
By the Book: E L Doctorow · nytimes.com
"I wish I could have been present when Kafka read “The Metamorphosis” aloud to his friends, who couldn’t stop laughing. The humor is still there in the text, but I would love to know what he did with his voice."
By the Book: Jonathan Franzen · nytimes.com
"Metamorphosis was completely a fantasy, but it was told in such a graphic way. Those were the first two books that got me going and showed me what great storytelling was like."
By the Book: Lenny Kravitz · nytimes.com