First published 2019
Gregor Samsa opens his eyes one morning to discover his body has transformed into that of an insect. The traveling salesman lies in his bed, staring at his new segmented belly and numerous thin legs. His first concern is not horror at his condition but worry about missing work and disappointing his employer. Gregor's family pounds on his locked bedroom door, demanding explanations for his absence. His mother, father, and sister Grete cannot understand the strange sounds coming from his room. When Gregor finally reveals himself, their shock and revulsion trap him in isolation. His transformation becomes a burden that weighs on the entire household. The family must find ways to survive without his income while caring for what he has become. Gregor watches from his room as those he loves struggle with the reality of his new existence. This parallel text edition presents Kafka's original German alongside Ian Johnston's English translation, allowing German learners to follow the story without stopping to consult dictionaries.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, 20th-century, psychological-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Germany
Period: 20th Century
111 pages · Paperback · Independently published
Content warnings: body-horror, mental-illness