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There may be no better time to read and/or re-read F.K. than during difficult times... It should be borne in mind that Kafka lived during the first Great War -- a war that came out of nowhere and killed far more people than was initially expected...and then came the Spanish flu to kill 50 million more!

I would be happy to steer the discussion and the first story would have to be Judgment - Kafka's break-through story.

I can't say I agree to that. In fact it's always great to read or re-read Kafka and I love him dearly, but I don't think now it's the greatest time. Majority of people would like something uplifting right now. Kafka is everything, but uplifting in my opinion.
He is great in so many ways, but I doubt that reading Kafka or about him can lift your mood up.

Greetings to everyone, hi Phillip!
Kafka is truth and pain. It can be as much uplifting as anything else, at any times.
Plus it's funny. There are so many incurable optimists that exalt The Little Prince for instance, which I myself find very sad (read Saint Exupery's bio to get some ideas why). Kafka himself wasn't without his issues, incl. deppressive states, but they aren't much different than the issues that affect many modern (uplifting) artists, listen to stand up comedians for instance.
The thing is that the current pandemic affects *everone* in the world simultaneously, simmilarly to the first Great War as Phillip suggested. This is a great opportunity for all of us to contemplate. At least for all who are not more busy at work than before the pandemic! And yes, I can understand Kate's take. Definately, I wouldn't hand a copy of Metamorhosis to anyone undergoing quarantine.

I share with Walter Sokel (noted Kafka scholar) the idea that deep down Kafka was a romantic -> but this side is well hidden though almost always present. To take an example from Metamorphosis,
the OPEN Window and Spring-time weather that was present at Gregor's death..... and just what did that old-time "cleaning lady" have to say that she wasn't allowed to....?
p.

I am rereading Metamorphosis (listening it on Audible to be more precise). It is, among many more classics, currently available for free to anyone.

Philip, I agree that he was romantic. However romantic doesn't always mean uplifting and positive in my opinion. it can be sad, painful and depressing. and in my opinion that was the kind of romantic was Franz.

Mariusz, that's great that they made so many classics free to listen, but sadly audio books just don't do it for me. I lose concentration too quickly

I agree, audio books are a modern excuse > there is no replacement for DOING ONE'S OWN READ .... at the pace and concentration that one determines.

Kate - have you read Investigations of a Dog....? What do you think of the music of the air dogs?

p.

Hi Philip,

I did read it very long time ago, so can't recall it. I need to catch up with some other reading, but then I'll give it a re-read

I had read Metamorphosis some time ago and came back to it to listen. Obviously, compared to a book, audiobook it's a different experience. Same with watching a stage adaptation, film version or a an interactive game (which is by the way currently being developed by some software house on Steam). They are all different media, with both some merits and limitations at the same time...

And to add to the thesis at the first post... as it appears the Judgement was Kafka's first complete and (according even to him) successful writing. The story, which was written in one go, seems to be a direct attempt to cope his frustration resulting from his conflict with his overbearing father. To find out to what degree he overcame his Oedipal complex, we can turn to his last works, the Castle, or even maybe the mentioned Investigations of a Dog.
I think, if he managed, it was only partial success, and it was at the very last months of his life.

Actually, once he got out of Prague and moved in with Dora Diamant >> Berlin! >> he was cured of everything but his tuberculosus (sp?)... it was a short idyllic period and one that was well deserved. To understand it read: Kafka's Last Love by Kathy Diamant - and you may be amazed.

p.

I think this "but" is important. Patients confronted with serious diseases can change their attitudes to life, and eventually even save it. It could be that Kafka was that case, except it was too late for him.
Anyway, I am currently reading the book you recommended me some time ago, Tragik und Ironie by Sokel - so far so good!

Also, recently I read an interesting article (which is I think at the same time the chapter of the book Franz Kafka in Context) about Kafka's writing, incl. his perfection when writing ‘The Judgement�. I found especially interesting author's comparative approach:

The above reference (cambridge) is well worth looking at > Kafka's mode of composition as explain therein re-inforced my view that he was a sort of "mystic'" (in the better sense!)....
See also the book: The Mystical Life of F.K.- in books.
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Sokel was a most wonderful academic and Mensch! - an unusual combination.... I'm sure you'll find much in his significant Opus on FK. At 93-94 he still did a fine job of proofreading my 2nd edition of Kafka's stories -> from Essential Kafka to Kafka Unleashed.

I'm now going back to Plato and enlarging my transl. from FDE.'s German transl (1807-1830?).... If you'd have any interest in Kafka's connection to Plato! - I'm emaiing to you a pdf regarding this.

p.

Thanks Phillip. I found The Mystical Life of F.K. some time ago and am going to check it soon.

2021 has arrived - trump's Trial is going to start in 3 hrs!

I still haven't heard back regarding the air dogs and what might
mention Buergel as well as the Priest from K's novels....

There are not very many authors who come anywhere near to approaching Kafka.... but it seems that few people are able
to appreciate all that he has to say.

it's too bad.

p.