Metamorphosis by Kafka is one of those books everyone refers to at some point. Like Ulyssess by James Joyce which I will have to squeeze in during this year at some point.
Often quoted as a template for the surreal, I found this very easy to read, follow and understand. The meaning is obviously interpretable many ways and the only surreal element is the metamorphosis itself for the main character. The transformations the other characters go through are all very pedestrian and understandable - if a little disconcerting. Whatever allegorical conclusion you wish to draw the overall concept is simple.
Someone changes, people around don't like it, the person becomes septic and people adjust and then are relieved when it's all over. Obviously parallels with aging, maturing, illness, disability abound but it is a template for mishandling change and in the case of the parents and sister - some of the worst elements of cruelty by trying to help but being self centered with your altruism.
Well that's what I thought anyway. Possibly much better in the native German which is a much more functional language than English which has more subtlety and less specificity (in so many words anyway). Thanks to Newby whom I borrowed this book from approx 2 years ago (hence my list of books I should get to).
An interesting and easy enough read (posted this late but finished it mid last week across 2 days and started on the next one).
Next week Bad Science by Ben Goldacre.
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