Kafka's lucid, succinct writing chronicles the labyrinthine complexities, the futility-laden horror, and the stifling oppressiveness that permeate his vision of modern life. &L/P&R&LP&RAlso included are '&LI&RIn the Penal Colony&L/I&R,' a story of a torture machine and its operators and victims, and '&LI&RA Hunger Artist&L/I&R,' about the absurdity of an artist trying to communicate with a misunderstanding public. These two, along with '&LI&RThe Metamorphosis&L/I&R,' form a suite of stories Kafka referred to as 'The Sons,' and they collectively present a devastating portrait of the modern family. '&LI&RThe Judgment&L/I&R,' which Kafka considered to be his decisive breakthrough, and '&LI&RThe Stoker&L/I&R,' which became the first chapter of his novel &LI&RAmerika&L/I&R, are here included. &LP&RBringing together some of Kafka's finest work, this collection demonstrates the richness and variety of the author's artistry. This vision is most fully realized in Kafka's masterpiece, '&LI&RThe Metamorphosis&L/I&R,' a story that is both harrowing and amusing, and a landmark of modern literature. His nightmarish novels and short stories have come to symbolize modern man's anxiety and alienation in a bizarre, hostile, and dehumanized world. &LI&RBarnes & Noble Classics &L/I&Rpulls together a constellation of influences-biographical, historical, and literary-to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works.&L/P&R&L/DIV&R&L/DIV&R&L/DIV&R&LDIV&R &L/DIV&R&LDIV&RVirtually unknown during his lifetime, &LB&RFranz Kafka&L/B&R is now one of the world's most widely read and discussed authors. &LP style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt&RAll editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications some include illustrations of historical interest. New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate Here are some of the remarkable features of &LI&RBarnes & Noble Classics&L/I&R: &LDIV&R &LDIV&R&LDIV&R&LI&RThe Metamorphosis and Other Stories&L/I&R, by &LB&RFranz Kafka&L/B&R, is part of the &LI&R&LI&RBarnes & Noble Classics&L/I&R &L/I&Rseries, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras.

Metamorphosis and other stories