by Ian Johnston
First published 2022
Gregor Samsa opens his eyes after a restless night and finds himself transformed into an enormous bug. The traveling salesman lies in bed, examining his new body with its hard shell and many legs. His first thoughts turn to practical matters: missing work, losing his job, and supporting his family. When his family discovers his condition, they react with horror and disgust. His sister Grete initially cares for him, sliding food under his door and cleaning his room. His parents struggle between revulsion and duty. As weeks pass, Gregor becomes a burden his family can barely tolerate. He overhears their conversations about money troubles and their shame about his existence. The family that once depended on his income now sees him as a monster trapped in their home. Gregor grapples with questions about his identity while navigating the simple challenges of his insect body. This darkly funny story examines how quickly love can turn to resentment when circumstances change.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, 20th-century, fantasy
Vibes: dark, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: body-horror, fish-out-of-water, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Europe
Period: 20th-century
63 pages · Paperback · Independently published
Content warnings: body-horror, mental-illness