The Complete Stories

This is easily one of my favorite reads.  As advertised, it is an anthology of Kafka's short stories -- perhaps most notably The Metamorphosis.  While this extremely famous short story of man-becomes-beetle is a good enough reason to buy the anthology, what keeps me coming back are the "shorter stories". 

These shorter stories are really short:  Ranging from a couple pages to a single paragraph.  Kafka packs a lot of energy and creativity into those few lines -- and crafts scenarios that, while often fantastical (with a lot of mythical/romantic imagery), are remarkably relatable.  

Three favorites come to mind -- and I've noted them in my ratings:  An Imperial Message, The Sudden Walk, and The Silence of the Sirens.  I don't think my description could do these stories justice, but each one is less than 2 pages so go see for yourself!

When I hear people talk about Kafka, I hear adjectives like dark, brooding, gloomy, and cynical.  I would use the opposite adjectives; when I read these stories, I feel like Kafka is charging the mundane with lightness and excitement.  Or playfully taking a myth and turning it on its ear.

A few months ago I said to one my favorite professors that I was reading this anthology of Kafka.

"Kafka?" she said.  "That could change your life."