Kafka at his very best! <br />

The pace of Kafka 's literature per se, is simply superb! Keeps one wholly intrigued.

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1 person found this helpful

Marvellous Bureaucratic Folly

A great Narrator tells the tale of a Surveyor who is thwarted at every turn by the bureaucracy of The Castle. Having being robbed then forced to take his robbers on as assistants. The Surveyor's life descends into chaos of a hugely layered bureaucracy blocking him at every turn. The futility of his situation carries through the book. This was Kafka's last book and you could argue an unfinished work the story could have seen more volumes. This is a literary masterpiece.

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2 people found this helpful

Not my idea of a good read

Would you consider the audio edition of The Castle to be better than the print version?

I have to be honest and say that, although this was superbly read, I was irritated with the story and I borrowed a copy of the print version just so I could skim to the end and claim I'd read it.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

What does it mean? For me it was exactly like one of those horrible, involved dreams where you can't get anywhere, or do anything, and there is a lingering sense of menace.

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

Everything, he's a really good performer and I'd happily listen to him again.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved to tears of relief when I finally "finished" it.

Any additional comments?

Despite not enjoying it at all, it's nearly a year since I listened to it and I can still remember a lot about it and I still think about it - perhaps that's why it is considered a masterpiece?

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5 people found this helpful

Loved it

A great book, well read. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Please be aware, though, the book is unfinished.

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3 people found this helpful

Classic story - but dated

Always worth listening to Kafka - but long dialogues compared to modern texts - however a classic which is very well read.

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Outstanding

Where does The Castle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Castle?

Very funny description of the main character, K, waking up in the night to find one of his assistants in bed with him instead of his wife, and then having to deal with the aftermath of this incident the next morning.

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

An excellent reader, reminding me of Jon Pertwee in style.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is both funny and sad, but creates a menacing tone throughout.

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6 people found this helpful

perfectly voiced

Allan Corduner has the the perfect voice for K's interminable struggle with labyrinthine bureaucracy. Hypnotically riveting, Kafka's unfinished last work is perfectly incomplete.

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Optional opinion

Well read and ofcourse a thrilling story. Found easy to navigate through out the chapters.

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Wonderful bizarreness

I read a comment once that Kafka was just comes across as a guy on a coarse on creative writing. Of course. And a very good one. This book is rambling and has no plot. Wordy, People speak forever. A series of set pieces. But so atmospheric, Amazing. Who cares if there is no plot? Also has sex and slapstick humour (Kafka was a Laurel and Hardy fan). A wonderful random trip to nowhere.

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Grim boring drivel

I really forced myself hard to finish this book. ultimately it was boring nonsense. It was very well read, but aside from that I can't find anything positive to say about this

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