I’m about halfway through Kafka’s The Trial. I am reading it on my daily commute and on my lunch break. I like it. The book, that is, though I like the lunch break quite a lot too. Once it is warm enough to go sit outside and read during lunch, I will like it even better. But I won’t be reading The Trial by that point unless something happens that prevents me from finishing it before the end of May.
What I am liking about The Trial so far is that it is so completely absurd but executed without any hint of irony. It has made me think too about the term “kafkaesque.” The situations, mood, and feeling the word describes were around before Kafka ever wrote about them, so what were they called pre-Kafka? Or maybe before Kafka there wasn’t an easy, all encompassing description for it?
After I get off the train in the morning and start my six-block walk to the library, I find myself mulling over possible subtitles for the book. Things like The Trial, Or How to Make People Believe You are Guilty Without Even Trying, and The Trial: Everyone’s Guilty of Something. I had a good one about “Joe” K the other day but it has gone and popped right out of my head. Which reminds me of another book I am lusting after Moonwalking with Einstein (it’s about memory, see the connection?).
On a side note, I finally finished section four in 2666 last night. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to be through reading about dead women and police corruption.
Now, off to do some homework.
When we were in Prague, we were all terribly excited over everything having to do with Kafka–the castle, the statue, the bookstore, etc.–except for my mother-in-law. Finally she asked me when the others weren’t around, “What does Kafkaesque mean?” I’d never realized that she’d gone to school before colleges started teaching him. One of the reasons I broke up with the guy I was seeing and started going out with L. in the first place was that he’d read Kafka and Camus!
Oh I know, isn’t it a relief to finish Part 4 of 2666? Then Part 5 starts and it’s all light and oceanic and one is just so glad to be in Prussia with weird, seaweed-obsessed Hans Reiter.
And I agree that Moonwalking with Einstein looks pretty fascinating.
I read this (and a few other Kafka) on my own in high school; he wasn’t taught where I went. A few years ago I saw a newer edition set of Kafka works that claimed the translator managed to imbue the original irony and humor Kafka put into his stories, which I really didn’t get a strong sense of when I first read them. I never did get around to reading that newer translation, though, and now I’m not sure if I could find it again.
Isn’t “The Trial” bizarre? I hate to say anything about it until you’re finished. But Kafka’s definition of absurd seems more in line with Camus’s. It’s not funny ha-ha absurd, but more like existentialist absurd.
And you’re in for a treat with the last part of “2666.” I can’t say anything about that, either, but I’m cackling over here. Bolano makes it so worth it. Unforgettable. And the worst part is, I can’t say anything. It’s that good.
I have a special place in my heart for Kafka, but I think I probably grew it after reading Letter To My Father. That’s one kicker of a book. But lol! about Kafkaesque – your comment reminded me of a Snoopy cartoon, in which Snoopy is lying flat out ‘playing possum’, then he sits up and wonders what the possums call it.
I struggle to really define what Kafkaesque means. I know what it is, but can’t seem to put it into words. I’m looking forward to reading The Castle.
Susan, oh how interesting! And the fact that you started going out with L because he had read Kafka and Camus gave me a nice giggle
Emily, a complete relief to get through part 4, it took so long because I could only bear reading a few pages at a time before it just got too depressing. Hans and his seaweed is thus far delightfully odd.
Jeane, I didn’t know there were newer translations. I’m reading an old one that is in the public domain and it’s pretty good as far as I can tell.
Brandon, completely bizarre. Yes, I agree that it is more existential absurd than funny ha-ha absurd which gives it, I think, more of an impact. And I am so glad the last part of 2666 is a treat. I could use one after all that happened in Santa Teresa!
Litlove, I will have to look out for Letter to My Father now. Heh, the Snoopy cartoon is perfect!
Chris, I don’t think there is an exact definition of Kafkaesque, I think it describes an atmosphere or series of events that remind one of a Kafka novel. There are a few definitions online that try to be more precise. I think I’ve got The Catsle too but I can’t remember for sure.
I’ve only read one short story by Kafka, but I did read some journals and books about the women he knew. He was such a fascinating person, but his work scares me a little (in the, will I get this, sort of way). Maybe I’ll try something by him this year. And 2666 is on my languishing book list, which I have been thinking about a lot lately but doing nothing about.
I have to admit, I’ve only read a few chapters of The Metamorphosis so far in my life… must remedy, but I think I get the idea of what you are saying. At this point however, most honestly, I would have to say I enjoy my lunch hour more than Kafka
Maybe once I finally get to Prague & experience Kafka in the right place I’ll change my mind!
I read The Trial in college and don’t remember much about it except that it was very Kafkaesque (sorry! It’s late. I should be asleep. And I couldn’t resist). I decided not to click on the link to Moonwalking with Einstein, because, well, to lust after two objects of your desire in the same night would be too much. Maybe I’ll wait till tomorrow night…
Have you read Jorge Luis Borges’ three page story “Kafka and His Precursors”? It plays with pre-Kafka ideas beautifully. It is published in “Labyrinths”, though it may be in other Borges collections too. I love Borges, he made me adore the infinite.
Danielle, Kafka does seem like a fascinating person. He was a vegetarian, wasn’t he? I’m not finding The Trail very hard to read in spite of how crazy surreal it is. I’m sure you wouldn’t have to worry about getting it.
Melwyk, Kafka makes lunch more delicious
Emily, heh, the Trial is very Kafkaesque
You won’t be able to resist learning more about Moonwalking with Einstein for very long. I think it is a book you would like.
Fiona, I have not read that story. I will have to find a copy if it. Thanks for pointing me towards it. I’ve not really read Borges but I want to. He’s on my reading list this year. Glad I have some good stuff to look forward to!
I read some Kafka in college, got a degree in English Literature and didn’t think much of him after that. It wasn’t until last year in law school, when we read it for a Law and Literature class (how amazing is that!), that I truly began to understand and love Kafka. Trying to apply the logic and sensibility of law to Kafka turned out to be an exercise in absurdity itself!
What I love most is the dreamlike quality of his writing. When you dream you don’t realize things are weird until you wake up. That’s how I feel reading Kafka – it’s not until I put the book down and start to think about it that things seem so strange and out of place. It’s like disappearing into a cloud.
It was also interesting that almost everyone in my class (all future attorneys, so that probably explains it) hated the book when we got to class. I don’t mean just disliked it, but HATED it. After two hours of discussion, though, everyone left with at least an appreciation for Kafka in general and “The Trial” in particular. I love how discussion can broaden understanding – even in law students who are usually so polarized.
I hope you continue to enjoy him and all his wonderfully bizarre qualities!