Franz Kafka: Man Who Changed Modern Literature Forever

(All photos credit: X & AI)

Saqib Ashraf
Feb 03, 2025

Introduction

Born in Czechia on July 13, 1883, Franz Kafka is one of the most respected and well-known short story writers. His major themes are Surrealism and existentialism.

Kafka

Kafka wrote multiple novels and short stories and some of his best books were posthumously published. Here are 5 must-read Kafka books for someone who has just been introduced to Franz Kafka.

The Metamorphosis

One of Kafka's most famous novellas which tries to show the true colors of people when you’re of no use to them.

The Trial

Kafka brilliantly shows how overwhelming and intimidating the legal system could be.

The Castle

One of Kafka's unfinished works. The Castle is Kafka’s last book, it was posthumously published. The book tries to show how difficult it is to go against bureaucracy.

Amerika

The unfinished novel “Amerika” is a story about a young man named “Karl Rossmann” who is sent to America by his parents after he impregnates the maid of his house. The story is a Kafka classic.

In The Penal Colony

The short story was published in 1919, it's a story about an execution method that is very cruel and bizarre. The story is quite intriguing and has much to it to keep the readers hooked till the very end.

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