logo

59 pages 1 hour read

The Metamorphosis

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1915

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Book Brief

logo
Franz Kafka

The Metamorphosis

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1915
Book Details
Pages

44

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Prague, Austro-Hungarian Empire • 1910s

Theme
Publication Year

1915

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, traveling salesman Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to find he has transformed into a giant insect. Struggling to communicate and move, he becomes increasingly alienated from his family, who are horrified by his new form. As Gregor becomes more isolated and neglected, his health deteriorates, culminating in his tragic demise. His family then contemplates their future with a sense of newfound freedom. Sensitive topics include Gregor's physical transformation and the resultant neglect and family estrangement.

Mysterious

Dark

Melancholic

Unnerving

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

1,186,951 ratings

68%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Kafka's The Metamorphosis captivates with its surreal premise and profound exploration of human alienation and identity. Critics praise its originality and emotional depth, yet some find its dark tone and ambiguity challenging. The narrative's ability to provoke thought and disturb remains a testament to Kafka's genius.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Metamorphosis?

A reader who enjoys The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka would likely appreciate existential and surreal themes. They may also be intrigued by psychological and philosophical inquiries into human isolation and absurdity. Fans of works like Albert Camus's The Stranger and George Orwell's 1984 will find Kafka's novella compelling.

4.1

1,186,951 ratings

68%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

44

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Prague, Austro-Hungarian Empire • 1910s

Theme
Publication Year

1915

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.