Guildencrantz's Full Review: Franz Kafka, George Steiner, Willa Muir, Breon Mit...
Franz Kafka has been called the greatest satirist outside of the English language, and he might very well be. Even counting the English language Kafka is definitely one of the best satirists ever, and The Trial is a masterpiece.
Written originally in German, and never published during his life, The Trial is one of the most pathetic stories ever. By this I mean that the tale which is told is pathetic, but the writing and method of telling the tale are masterful.
The Trial tells the tale of a man convicted of a crime which he is innocent of. Simple enough, but this man is in capable of defending himself. He talks of getting lawyers, of getting help, of doing something to prevent his conviction, but he really does nothing. The story largely shows him going around and talking pretending to do something when he is really just waiting for somebody to step in and defend him.
Throughout the story there are signs that tell K. (as the main character is known) what he can do. There are sarcastic moments where other characters compliment K. on getting involved with his case. All through the story there are moments when K. can turn and do something that will actually help him, but he seems incapable of making these decision.
The beauty of what Kafka has done is to write a story where the hopelessness is known from the beginning, but the reader is still tempted to read on. There is always a glimmer of hope that K. will chose the right door. There is even a great part where a priest describes the process of making a decision, and tells K. that he must make the move.
All of it is extremely well plotted. Each section moves to the next fluidly and the reader is compelled to go on, even through the futility of K.'s situation. Kafka is a master of plot and characterization. He hints and tempts all through this magnificent novel and leaves the reader with an amazing sense of both finality and despair when the last page has been read.
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