All books are shipped from New Zealand 📚

Christmas Shopping? Try our Gift Wrap Service 🎁

The Trial: Popular Penguins

3.95 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 350,802 ratings, 17,012 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 Josef K., a man who is unexpectedly arrested and put on trial by a distant, inaccessible authority without ever being told the nature of his crime. The story explores themes of guilt, power, and the increasingly surreal and nightmarish bureaucracy he faces as he tries to defend himself.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1300
Elsewhere:
$1599
GET IT FOR CHRISTMAS | OVERNIGHT DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

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?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy thought-provoking and surreal narratives that explore themes of bureaucracy, existential angst, and the human condition through a mysterious and gripping story.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The Trial: Popular Penguins

"Somebody must have laid false information against Josef K., for he was arrested one morning without having done anything wrong." From this first sentence onwards, Josef K. is on trial for his right to exist in a novel which, more than any other, is infinitely perceptive about the nature of terror and the futility of human life.

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 story begins with a startling turn of events: "Somebody must have laid false information against Josef K., for he was arrested one morning without having done anything wrong." From this cryptic and unnerving outset, The Trial: Popular Penguins delves into the nightmarish and absurd world of Josef K., an ordinary bank officer who suddenly finds himself entangled in a bewildering legal ordeal. As Josef navigates a labyrinthine judicial system, filled with shadowy bureaucrats and enigmatic proceedings, he is forced to contend with a charge for which he is never told the nature. This surreal and haunting narrative explores themes of power, guilt, and alienation, offering readers a profound commentary on the human condition.

Franz Kafka's The Trial is a masterful creation that captures the sheer absurdity and terror of a dystopian reality. The novel penetrates deeply into the existential dread and anxiety that accompanies a life under constant surveillance and arbitrary judgment. Kafka's writing is rich with allegorical meaning, presenting a bleak yet compelling portrait of a world where bureaucratic inefficiencies and oppressive regulations reign supreme. Despite its darkness, the book is peppered with moments of dark humour and irony, making it a multi-layered read that challenges and engages.

The Trial has been hailed as one of Kafka's greatest works and continues to resonate with readers today. Its unflinching portrayal of an individual's struggle against an impersonal and omnipotent authority is as relevant now as it was when first published. Kafka's ingenious narrative structure and his ability to evoke a sense of disorientation and helplessness have solidified his legacy as a pivotal figure in 20th-century literature.

For those looking to immerse themselves in a work that is both intellectually stimulating and viscerally affecting, The Trial: Popular Penguins is an essential addition to your reading list. It is not merely a novel but an unsettling journey into the depths of human despair and resilience, making it a timeless classic that scrutinises the essence of justice, freedom, and the human spirit.

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: Popular Penguins by Franz Kafka is frequently praised for its haunting portrayal of bureaucratic madness and existential despair. Reviewers highlight Kafka's ability to create a sense of paranoia and helplessness through the protagonist's ordeal, often commenting on the book's timeless relevance and incisive social critique. The narrative is described as both compelling and unsettling, making it a profound, though sometimes challenging, read.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141194714

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 June 2010

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 111.0mm

Height: 179.0mm

Weight: 118g

Pages: 178

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

About the 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.

Also by Franz Kafka

View all

More from General Fiction

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 10,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Pick Ups

Auckland Pick Ups

We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Reviews from our customers