The Trial by Franz Kafka
How would you feel waking up on your birthday to discover two agents in your home ready to arrest you? Miserable? Devastated? Shameful? But what if you were accused of doing something horrible, yet no one knows what it is? This story follows Joseph K. as he navigates the halls of this absurd legal system and explores themes of law, power, bureaucracy and justice.
The Trial by Franz Kafka is perfect if you like exploring human psychology or are interested in law. The vocabulary is easy to comprehend, but many parts of the story require reflection to truly understand what is happening. This story perfectly illustrates the fear of being condemned for reasons you do not understand, unable to defend yourself because you are unsure what to defend yourself against. Kafka's stories often have a pessimistic tone, so don't expect a cheerful story, but rather the bitter reality.
Reviewed by Mari A,. Grade 9
Glendale Central Library
Comments
I think this book is really thought-provoking but also kind of frustrating in a good way. It’s not a fast-paced or easy story, but it makes you think a lot about authority and how systems can control people. Josef K.’s situation feels confusing on purpose, which helps you understand his stress, but it can also make the book harder to follow. I would recommend it to readers who like deeper, symbolic stories rather than action. It left me thinking about it even after I finished, which I liked.
Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 11
Glendale Central Library