by David Wyllie
First published 2021
Gregor Samsa opens his eyes one morning to find his body transformed into a giant insect. His limbs have become thin and wire-like. His back shows hard segments. He lies in his familiar bedroom, but nothing feels the same. His family discovers him and reacts with horror and disgust. His sister Grete takes on the role of caretaker, bringing him food and cleaning his room. His parents cannot accept what their son has become. Gregor can no longer work as a traveling salesman, cutting off the money his family needs. Trapped in his room, he depends completely on others for survival. The burden of caring for him weighs heavier on his family each day. His transformation forces each family member to confront their feelings about duty, love, and sacrifice. The metamorphosis spreads beyond Gregor's body, reshaping every relationship in the house and exposing what family loyalty truly means when tested.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, 20th-century, psychological-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, transformation
Setting: Bedroom
Period: 20th-century
60 pages · Paperback · Independently Published
Content warnings: body-horror, mental-illness