By Franz Kafka
Genre: Modernist Fiction
Rating: 4/5 stars
“I only fear danger where I want to fear it.”
Gregor Samsa was a travelling salesman, who went back and forth hawking fabric, in order to support his family financially. The Samsas depended on Gregor as their sole support which dragged him to workaholism. One day, out of exhaustion, he overslept and woke up next day to the horror of seeing himself transformed into an insect.
For Gregor, things never remained the same again. His irreversible body condition made him an useless entity for his family and his office. This was when his family had to take up jobs and his sister became the lead of the family.
As the Samsa family gets busy earning for themselves, they eventually forget Gregor, who due to insufficient leftover food, withered and die. His family was not sad at his demise. Instead, they heaved a sigh of relief as Gregor had been a burden to them. This book is a grim reminder of the bitter truth that people tend to forget things which are no more of use to them. Metaphorically, this book also potrays Gregor’s revenge whose efforts were never really appreciated when he was the earning member of the family.
Overall, this classic is recommended to everyone as it will give you a glimpse of the hardships one has to face when their near and dear ones abandon them. Language is pretty simple and it can be easily completed in one sitting. Looking forward to all of your views on this book.
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Book Reviews by Kusumita 