Scan barcode
applesodaperson's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
So I genuinely wanted to like this book so much, but I was going through a really tough time the week I was reading it, which made it really hard to focus on and get into. So I would like to reread it in the future.
But despite my circumstances, this book was very confusing and hard to follow. And to some extent, I know that that was the entire point of the book. The reader is supposed to feel just as lost and frustrated as the main character does. This book is really just a commentary on the problems with the justice system. And from what limited experience I have had, this book is frighteningly accurate. In my own experience, I have seen how one instance of human error can completely ruin someone's life. And it was so frustrating reading this book and watching the main character basically go on a wild good chase around the city. He also talks to so many people that seem to speak in riddles and end up giving him no information about what he even did or what he is being arrested for. And his situation just gets more confusing and convoluted, but in the end, all ofhis struggle doesn't matter at all, because he just dies a meaningless death in the streets. And that ending is so impactful at making the reader feel that like strike of hoplessness.
Read from the Provo Library.
But despite my circumstances, this book was very confusing and hard to follow. And to some extent, I know that that was the entire point of the book. The reader is supposed to feel just as lost and frustrated as the main character does. This book is really just a commentary on the problems with the justice system. And from what limited experience I have had, this book is frighteningly accurate. In my own experience, I have seen how one instance of human error can completely ruin someone's life. And it was so frustrating reading this book and watching the main character basically go on a wild good chase around the city. He also talks to so many people that seem to speak in riddles and end up giving him no information about what he even did or what he is being arrested for. And his situation just gets more confusing and convoluted, but in the end, all of
Read from the Provo Library.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
luxxltyd's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual content
buzzinfly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Deportation
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
shos's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Police brutality
Minor: Death
nunchikoi's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Look, I get it, Kafka is dry and literally nothing happens for too long before everything happens in one fell swoop. It's unpleasant either because its boring or the subject matter is untoward.
This shit is still hilarious.
It is by design that K. is unlikeable, that he endlessly struggles for answers that will never arrive, and that the otherwise setting follows a sort-of surreal, dream logic that is inaccessible. Kafka's concern with the long-winded legal and bureaucratic systems is made evident through all of these features and amplified. It's like capitalism is literally reinforcing itself and pressing down upon me, and all I can do is laugh. And I totally get how that is NOT the vibe for some readers, but for myself I applaud Kafka's ability to conjure such dread and absurdism in his deadpan prose-style.
On a more heartfelt note, the epilogue with Max Brod's note is bittersweet and it provides a bit of context for the surreal and endless purgatory K. (as well as many of Kafka's other characters) finds himself in.
This shit is still hilarious.
It is by design that K. is unlikeable, that he endlessly struggles for answers that will never arrive, and that the otherwise setting follows a sort-of surreal, dream logic that is inaccessible. Kafka's concern with the long-winded legal and bureaucratic systems is made evident through all of these features and amplified. It's like capitalism is literally reinforcing itself and pressing down upon me, and all I can do is laugh. And I totally get how that is NOT the vibe for some readers, but for myself I applaud Kafka's ability to conjure such dread and absurdism in his deadpan prose-style.
On a more heartfelt note, the epilogue with Max Brod's note is bittersweet and it provides a bit of context for the surreal and endless purgatory K. (as well as many of Kafka's other characters) finds himself in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Violence
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming and Sexual assault
hannah_cogo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Classism
danicam's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Sexual harassment
_katie_little's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Sexual harassment
bishopbox's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
It wouldn’t feel fair to rate this because it’s not really a finished work. There’s several plot lines that don’t go anywhere and it feels very disjointed.
However, what is actually on page has an idea it’s going for, but it just keeps getting distracted. Overall, read it if you want to, but don’t expect this to be some masterpiece.
Spoiler review below:
I understand that this is supposed to be all about the hopelessness of being in a corrupt system where anyone can be declared guilty of a crime and punished without any sort of way to defend yourself, or even understand what is going on. And I think the character of Block and the final words of K do a good way of representing that. But DANG this book is mostly just K freaking out and everyone around him telling him to chill out and then him being super stubborn and argumentative. It also really left a bad taste in my mouth that the women are all treated terribly or as props. It’s hard to feel too sad for a guy that is so unlikeable.
I can see why somebody might connect with this book, but it just wasn’t for me. </spoiler
However, what is actually on page has an idea it’s going for, but it just keeps getting distracted. Overall, read it if you want to, but don’t expect this to be some masterpiece.
Spoiler review below:
I can see why somebody might connect with this book, but it just wasn’t for me. </spoiler
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Torture, and Sexual harassment