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The Trial

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( 362,241 ratings, 18,082 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Trial by Franz Kafka follows the story of Josef K., a bank officer who is unexpectedly arrested one morning without being informed of his crime. As he navigates through a bewildering and absurd legal system, the novel explores themes of bureaucracy, alienation, and the elusive nature of justice. This intense narrative invites readers to ponder the complexities of power and human existence.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by themes of bureaucracy, existentialism, and surrealism. It captures the surreal and often frustrating nature of navigating an opaque legal system, which can be compelling for readers interested in exploring the absurdities of modern life. Its philosophical depth and thought-provoking narrative may appeal to those who appreciate works examining the individual's struggle against overpowering societal forces.

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The Trial

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Trial is Kafka's gripping work of psychological horror.

A terrifying psychological trip into the life of one Joseph K., an ordinary man who wakes up one day to find himself accused of a crime he did not commit, a crime whose nature is never revealed to him. Once arrested, he is released, but must report to court on a regular basis—an event that proves maddening, as nothing is ever resolved.

As he grows more uncertain of his fate, his personal life—including work at a bank and his relations with his landlady and a young woman who lives next door—becomes increasingly unpredictable. As K. tries to gain control, he succeeds only in accelerating his own excruciating downward spiral.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Trial by Franz Kafka is acclaimed for its prophetic insights into the madness of modern bureaucracy and the emergence of totalitarianism. Critics like W. H. Auden have praised Kafka's stature, likening him to Dante for the twentieth century. Albert Camus noted the work's unique ability to offer myriad interpretations without concrete confirmation, while Gabriel García Márquez highlighted its inspiration in allowing writers to explore unconventional narrative styles.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241197790

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 July 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Idris Parry
  • Introduction by Idris Parry

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 12.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 158g

Pages: 208

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About the Author

Franz Kafka (Author) Franz Kafka (1883-1924) was born of Jewish parents in Prague. Several of his story collections were published in his lifetime and his novels, The Trial, The Castle, and Amerika, were published posthumously by his editor Max Brod.

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