(The Library: Book Review) It is perhaps trauma dating back from the crib that led Kafka to write such a novella about the helplessness of our own fight against change. Change is inevitable yet we grow like old trees, with our flaws and seasons changing how we branch out in this world. Yet staying dynamic and adapting to change is also a human quality. Finding out who we are growing into and our fate are questions explored here, in this 1915 publication: The Metamorphosis:
Pros
Typical Kafka - more a of nightmare than reality, intentionally vague
Well written, short & to the point
Cons
Bugs and vermin can discourage you
Can be a depressing read
I say that the novella is to the point because as you can notice yourself, in the very first line of Chapter 1, we learn this:
"One morning, as Gregor Samsa was waking up from anxious dreams, he discovered that in bed he had been changed into a monstrous vermin."
Anxiety? What was this anxious dream about? Of course, the novella is full of symbolic meaning regarding the anxiety of everyday lives and the obligations one feels to provide for others. It is both to the point and pragmatic and yet always dream like in a reality that sits between the real and the imaginary. It also serves as warning against collapsing under this because we can forget who we are as humans. I recommend you to read The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.
Multiple faces
As we observe the many facets of our daily lives where we wear our hundred faces, it is interesting to draw parallels to our multiple online avatars. Are we surfers, traders, hodlers, parents, employees, kids and leaders? All of it at once or a little bit of each in turn. What of our dreams of old, those that inform who we wanted to be when we knew of no boundaries to our future successes? This next book might hold the answer. In English, "The Man with a Hundred Faces". First the pros and cons:
Pros
Interior illustrations are nice (see below)
You can morph before battle into the creature you choose
Cons
The plot feels too short
Published in 1993, L'Homme aux Cent Visages in its original title is written by Gildas Sagot. The cover illustration, seen above, is by Daniel Moignot. The interior illustrations, drawn by Philippe Mignon, are very impressive when compared to other titles, as can be seen below on an image which shows the Hydra, the beast with 7 heads. Part of the Metamorphosis (French: Métamorphoses) series, this book tells a different story based on your choices. You begin as an old man and can eventually adopt multiple forms through metamorphosis. And multiple metamorphosis are called metamorphoses. If only it were that simple in real life. What animal would you choose to be? And no, a unicorn is not an animal. Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading!
Resources: https://hum11c.omeka.fas.harvard.edu/exhibits/show/readings/kafka-s-metamorphosis--a-journ