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Literary Fiction· Czech Republic

The Metamorphosis

by Franz Kafka
Aggregate Editorial Score39/100
ALA Notable Books
Published 191588 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that The Metamorphosis (1915) by Franz Kafka continues to receive. Gregor Samsa wakes one morning to find himself transformed into a gigantic insect. Kafka's most famous story is a profound exploration of family, work, alienation, and the burden of being a provider—told with a matter-of-fact clarity that makes it all the more unsettling. Themes of alienation, family, work run through the work. The book has received recognition from ALA Notable Books 1915.

Book Details

AuthorFranz Kafka
Published1915
Country of Origin🇨🇿 Czech Republic
LanguageEnglish
Pages88
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780553213690
Editorial Score39/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇨🇿 Czech Republic

This book is part of Czech Republic's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Czech Republic →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 1915, Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with alienation, family, work, transformation gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Among its recognitions: ALA Notable Books 1915. With an editorial score of 39/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. What distinguishes The Metamorphosis is how it handles its central concerns — alienation, family, work, transformation — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Franz Kafka's role in the literature of Czech Republic is well established. The Metamorphosis can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

ALA Notable Books
notable · national
191510
✍️
About the Author
Franz Kafka
Czech Republic
View Author →

Franz Kafka is a celebrated author from Czech Republic known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Metamorphosis about?

Gregor Samsa wakes one morning to find himself transformed into a gigantic insect. Kafka's most famous story is a profound exploration of family, work, alienation, and the burden of being a provider—told with a matter-of-fact clarity that makes it all the more unsettling.

Who wrote The Metamorphosis?

The Metamorphosis was written by Franz Kafka, from Czech Republic. First published in 1915.

What awards has The Metamorphosis won?

The Metamorphosis has received the following awards and honours: ALA Notable Books 1915.

Is The Metamorphosis worth reading?

The Metamorphosis is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 10/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in alienation, family, work.

Where can I buy The Metamorphosis?

You can buy The Metamorphosis on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Metamorphosis?

The Metamorphosis is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Metamorphosis from?

The Metamorphosis originates from Czech Republic's literary tradition. Explore more books from Czech Republic on our country page.

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