Franz Kafka Books

Selected Stories by Franz Kafka offers new renderings of the author’s finest work. Mark Harman’s English translations convey the uniqueness of Kafka’s German—the wit, irony, and cadence. Expert annotations illuminate Kafka’s cultural allusions and wordplay, while a biographical introduction places the man and his work in historical context.

This splendid new translation presents an extraordinary work of modern literature, featuring facing-page commentary by Kafka's acclaimed biographer. Written in 1917 and 1918, the Zürau aphorisms consist of over 100 philosophical reflections composed in a Bohemian village. Among Kafka's most enigmatic writings, they delve into profound questions about truth, morality, and the spiritual and sensory realms. This bilingual volume is the first annotated edition, offering valuable insights into Kafka's mind. Edited and introduced by renowned biographer Reiner Stach, and translated by Shelley Frisch, each aphorism is displayed on its own page in both English and the original German, accompanied by enlightening notes. The aphorisms blend literary and analytical thought, showcasing radical ideas and original imagery, all conveyed in exceptionally condensed language. They evoke Kafka's unsettling charm, often leading readers into unfamiliar territory that can transform into moments of clarity: "I have never been in this place before: breathing works differently, and a star shines next to the sun, more dazzlingly still." Ultimately, this volume reveals that these multifaceted gems are deeply connected to Kafka's novels and stories, situated at the very heart of his literary cosmos. Long overlooked by readers and scholars, these aphorisms finally receive the attention they deserve.

Kafka's storytelling is characterized by isolated protagonists confronting surreal and absurd situations, reflecting the complexities of modern life. In "Metamorphosis," Gregor Samsa's transformation into a giant insect serves as a profound exploration of alienation and identity. This edition includes ten additional short stories and parables, such as "In the Penal Colony" and "A Hunger Artist," showcasing Kafka's unique blend of realism and the fantastical, as well as his critique of socio-bureaucratic systems.

Kafka's diaries cover the period from 1910 to 1923 and reveal the inner world in which he lived. He describes his fear, isolation and frustration, his feelings of guilt and his sense of being an outcast. He also describes the father he worshipped and the woman he could not bring himself to marry.

To view the modern world is to see it through the lens of Franz Kafka, the defining writer of the twentieth century. In his exploration, Ernst Pawel captures Kafka's essence and the complex interplay of his work and life. Kafka has become a modern myth, shaped not only by his writings but also by distortions in biographies, especially the one by his close friend Max Brod. Pawel's achievement lies in situating Kafka within his historical context, revealing a life that surpasses the myths surrounding it. This account chronicles Kafka's life while vividly depicting the milieu of affluent Germanized Jewry and the intellectual vibrancy of Central Europe before World War I, as well as the collapse of Austria-Hungary. While informed by psychological insights, Pawel avoids relying solely on them, presenting Kafka not as a mere legend of a frail clerk but as a man who navigated the world, functioning as a reluctant yet effective business executive. Pawel's nuanced readings of Kafka's Judaism, his relationships with his parents, and his tumultuous engagements reveal a figure who, while typical of his age and class, also transcended them. His interpretations of Kafka's life and relationships are both revealing and persuasive, challenging preconceived notions.

The story revolves around traveling salesman Samsa, who experiences a shocking transformation into a giant insect, blending horror with absurdity. This beautifully illustrated collector's edition features the complete text, translated by Will Aaltonen Pearson, and includes new, vibrant illustrations by Gaby Verdooren. Celebrated for its impact on literature and culture, this edition is ideal for both newcomers and seasoned readers, showcasing the work's enduring relevance. Part of the Arcturus Illustrated Classics series, it offers an elegant presentation of Kafka's masterpiece.

This collection of stories is made up of Ten original and imaginative tales by Franz Kafka including his masterpiece, "The Metamorphosis" as well as, "Children On A Country Road", "A Hunger Artist", "An Imperial Message", "A Report To An Academy", "Before The Law", "In The Penal Colony", "Jackals And Arabs", "The Great Wall Of China", & "The Hunter Gracchus".

These diaries cover the years 1910 to 1923, the year before Kafka’s death at the age of forty. They provide a penetrating look into life in Prague and into Kafka’s accounts of his dreams, his feelings for the father he worshipped, and the woman he could not bring himself to marry, his sense of guilt, and his feelings of being an outcast. They offer an account of a life of almost unbearable intensity.From the Trade Paperback edition.The Diaries of Franz Kafka 1910-13 translated from the German by Joseph KreshThe Diaries of Franz Kafka 1914-23 translated from the German by Martin Greenberg with the cooperation of Hannah Arendt

This volume contains the great works of fiction as well as the complete diaries and thus gives the reader considrable insight into the mind of this strange and powerful man.

Based on translations by leading Kafka scholar, this work includes twenty-nine stories, which accompanies annotations. The extracts from his letters, diaries and conversations offer a glimpse of Kafka's creative process. It covers ten essays on the major stories from a range of voices.