Metamorphosis
Original title: Die Verwandlung
Franz Kafka (1883-1924), trans. David Wyllie
Franz Kafka's 1915 novella, in David Wyllie's translation, and the most famous opening sentence in modern fiction. Gregor Samsa wakes one morning to find himself transformed into a monstrous insect — and then does what he has always done: worries about missing his train and losing his job. His family feeds him, avoids him, takes in lodgers, and gradually rearranges itself around the space he used to fill, until his sister Grete declares that he must go. Comic in its timing, unbearable in its sympathy, and entirely literal about the fear of being useless.
Text sourced from Project Gutenberg (public domain in the United States); the Project Gutenberg trademark and license text have been removed on import. Public-domain status determined by the author's death year + 50 years rule.
Table of Contents
- 001 I One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found… 2713 words
- 002 “Something’s fallen down in there”, said the chief clerk in the room on the left. 2547 words
- 003 “Now, then”, said Gregor, well aware that he was the only one to have… 2500 words
- 004 It was not until late at night that the gaslight in the living room… 2543 words
- 005 He would often lie there the whole night through, not sleeping a wink… 2549 words
- 006 So, while the women were leant against the desk in the other room… 2854 words
- 007 Gregor hardly slept at all, either night or day. 2662 words
- 008 “Mr. Samsa!”, shouted the middle gentleman to Gregor’s father… 2858 words
- 009 They decided the best way to make use of that day was for relaxation… 709 words