Konundrum: Exploring the Selected Prose Of Franz Kafka

The enigmatic world of Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, created a literary universe that is both mesmerizing and haunting. His works, particularly his selected prose, have captivated readers all over the world, with their mysterious themes, complex characters, and surreal atmospheres.

The essence of Kafka's prose

Konundrum is a compilation of selected prose written by Franz Kafka throughout his legendary career. The anthology brings together a collection of short stories, parables, and reflections that showcase the depth and brilliance of Kafka's literary genius.

Konundrum: Selected Prose of Franz Kafka

by Peter Wortsman (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	811 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	386 pages
Hardcover	:	198 pages
Item Weight	:	12.6 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.64 x 9 inches

FREE

One characteristic of Kafka's prose is his ability to portray the human condition in all its absurdity and alienation. Through his intricate narratives, he explores themes of existentialism, bureaucracy, and the individual's struggle against oppressive systems. Kafka's writing is filled with a sense of isolation, anxiety, and the overwhelming feeling of being trapped in a labyrinth of one's own creation.

The labyrinthine narratives

One of the most renowned stories in Konundrum is "The Metamorphosis." It revolves around Gregor Samsa, a salesman who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a gigantic insect. This bizarre premise sets the stage for an exploration of identity, familial relationships, and the consequences of alienation. Kafka's ability to blur the line between reality and the subconscious makes "The Metamorphosis" an unforgettable experience.

The power of Kafkaesque themes

To truly understand Kafka's prose, one must delve into the realm of Kafkaesque. This term, derived from Kafka's unique style, refers to the sense of absurdity, anxiety, and impending doom that permeates his works. The feeling of being caught in a never-ending cycle, unable to escape the clutches of a bizarre and illogical system, is what defines the Kafkaesque experience.

Kafka's influence on literature

Kafka's impact on modern literature cannot be overstated. His unique blend of surrealism and psychological depth has inspired countless authors, including Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Albert Camus, and Haruki Murakami. His works have become a staple in academic curriculums, inviting students and scholars to unravel the enigma that is Kafka.

The themes explored in Konundrum have a timeless quality, resonating with readers from different epochs and cultures. Kafka's ability to tap into the universal human experience has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest literary figures of all time.

Unveiling the enigma

Konundrum allows readers to immerse themselves in the mind of Kafka, exploring the depths of his philosophy and the intricacies of his prose. It is a journey into the unknown, an invitation to question the very nature of reality and the human condition.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Kafka or a newcomer to his works, Konundrum offers a unique perspective on his writing. The selected prose in this anthology provides a gateway into Kafka's enigmatic world, leaving readers perplexed, fascinated, and hungry for more.

Franz Kafka's selected prose, as compiled in Konundrum, is a testament to the power of words and their ability to transcend time and space. His stories and reflections continue to captivate generations, offering profound insights into the human psyche and the complexities of existence.

So, delve into the world of Konundrum, lose yourself in the labyrinthine narratives, and let Kafka's prose unravel the mysteries of life.

Konundrum: Selected Prose of Franz Kafka

by Peter Wortsman (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	811 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	386 pages
Hardcover	:	198 pages
Item Weight	:	12.6 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.64 x 9 inches

FREE

In this new selection and translation, Peter Wortsman mines Franz Kafka's entire opus of short prose--including works published in the author's brief lifetime, posthumously published stories, journals, and letters--for narratives that sound the imaginative depths of the great German-Jewish scribe from Prague. It is the first volume in English to consider his deeply strange, resonantly humane letters and journal entries alongside his classic short fiction and lyrical vignettes "Transformed" is a vivid retranslation of one of Kafka's signature stories, "Die Verwandlung," commonly rendered in English as "The Metamorphosis." Composed of short, black comic parables, fables, fairy tales, and reflections, Konundrums also includes classic stories like "In the Penal Colony," Kafka's prescient foreshadowing of the nightmare of the Twentieth Century, refreshing the writer's mythic storytelling powers for a new generation of readers.

Contents:

   • Words are Miserable Miners of Meaning
   • Letter to Ernst Rowohlt
   • Reflections
   • Concerning Parables
   • Children on the Country Road
   • The Spinning Top
   • The Street-Side Window
   • At Night
   • Unhappiness
   • Clothes Make the Man
   • On the Inability to Write
   • From Somewhere in the Middle
   • I Can Also Laugh
   • The Need to Be Alone
   • So I Sat at My Stately Desk
   • A Writer's Quandary
   • Give it Up!
   • Eleven Sons
   • Paris Outing
   • The Bridge
   • The Trees
   • The Truth About Sancho Pansa
   • The Silence of the Sirens
   • Prometheus
   • Poseidon
   • The Municipal Coat of Arms
   • A Message from the Emperor
   • The Next Village Over
   • First Sorrow
   • The Hunger Artist
   • Josephine, Our Meistersinger, or the Music of Mice
   • Investigations of a Dog
   • A Report to an Academy
   • A Hybrid
   • Transformed
   • In the Penal Colony
   • From The Burrow
   • Selected Aphorisms
   • Selected Last Conversation Shreds
   • In the Caves of the Unconscious: K is for Kafka (An Afterword)
   • The Back of Words (A Post Script)