The Metamorphosis

By Franz Kafka

A man wakes as an insect, facing alienation and family disdain.

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94 pages· 20,889 words

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Bookroo's summary

Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, awakens to an unimaginable nightmare—he's become a giant insect. His family's indifference turns to disdain, leaving him isolated in his own home. As Gregor grapples with his new reality, questions arise about identity, acceptance, and the absurdity of existence. Will he find a way to reconnect with the world, or remain trapped in his monstrous form? This tale explores the depths of human alienation and the harsh judgments of society.

From the publisher

The Metamorphosis, first published in 1915, is the most famous of Kafka’s works, along with The Trial and The Castle. The story begins when a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect. Curiously, his condition does not arouse surprise in his family, who merely despise it as an impending burden. As with all of Kafka’s works, The Metamorphosis is open to a wide range of interpretations. Most obvious are themes relating to society’s treatment of those who are different, the loneliness of isolation, and the absurdity of the human condition. Newly designed and typeset in a modern 5.5-by-8.5-inch format by Waking Lion Press.

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