This is a Quirk Classic reworking of "The Metamorphosis" (with "The Trial" added in to, presumably, make it longer) wherein Gregor Samsa wakes up as an adorable kitten instead of an insect.
The concept is a fun one, but difficult to pull off. The essence of Kafka's work is oozing depression and ennui, whereas who the hell can be unhappy around an adorable kitten? It makes for an odd reading experience that is neither "aww kitty" nor "oh how I love to loll around in depressed author land." It's a fun concept that maybe should have become an internet meme like Business Cat instead of an entire book.
Also, the illustrations somehow manage to be not adorable in spite of all involving kittens. I'm not sure how the illustrator managed to pull that off.
Overall I'd say that I don't feel like I wasted my time reading this, per se, but I also sort of wish I'd just re-read "The Metamorphosis" and hunted down a copy of "The Trial." As someone who can be a bit of an emo reader at times, nothing beats Kafka's brand of ennui and depression. Why brighten it up with a kitty? Just.....why?
I'd recommend this book to that odd juxtaposition of reader who loves depressing European lit and doesn't mind it being brightened up by an adorable kitty. I think only you will know if that describes you.
Check out my full review. (Link will be live on September 13, 2011).
The concept is a fun one, but difficult to pull off. The essence of Kafka's work is oozing depression and ennui, whereas who the hell can be unhappy around an adorable kitten? It makes for an odd reading experience that is neither "aww kitty" nor "oh how I love to loll around in depressed author land." It's a fun concept that maybe should have become an internet meme like Business Cat instead of an entire book.
Also, the illustrations somehow manage to be not adorable in spite of all involving kittens. I'm not sure how the illustrator managed to pull that off.
Overall I'd say that I don't feel like I wasted my time reading this, per se, but I also sort of wish I'd just re-read "The Metamorphosis" and hunted down a copy of "The Trial." As someone who can be a bit of an emo reader at times, nothing beats Kafka's brand of ennui and depression. Why brighten it up with a kitty? Just.....why?
I'd recommend this book to that odd juxtaposition of reader who loves depressing European lit and doesn't mind it being brightened up by an adorable kitty. I think only you will know if that describes you.
Check out my full review. (Link will be live on September 13, 2011).
Unlike their earlier offerings, Quirk's latest tackles a novella which already included an element of horror - the salesman, Gregor Samsa awakening to find himself an insect - with the intention turning the tables by replacing insect with kitten. While this starts well, it just doesn't carry through as easily as the notion of zombies roaming the 18th century English countryside, and it feels more like an attack on Kafka's work than an imaginative retelling. Cook also breaks from the orginal novella by including at least one other work - "The Trial" - which serves to further berate and belittle Gregor Samsa the kitten.
I tried to like this, and actually was looking forward to reading it after having flipped through and seeing the illustrations (which are funny. Or at least fun). Sadly, between the feeling of Kafka bashing, the peculiarities of dropping in "kitten" for "insect", and the general lack of mirth to be found in the orginal text (that's all Kafka's doing. I agree with Cook; he was a joyless man and that comes across in his writings), this was nowhere near as enjoyable as the Austen mashups.
Sent to me by the publisher, as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers
I tried to like this, and actually was looking forward to reading it after having flipped through and seeing the illustrations (which are funny. Or at least fun). Sadly, between the feeling of Kafka bashing, the peculiarities of dropping in "kitten" for "insect", and the general lack of mirth to be found in the orginal text (that's all Kafka's doing. I agree with Cook; he was a joyless man and that comes across in his writings), this was nowhere near as enjoyable as the Austen mashups.
Sent to me by the publisher, as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers
