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The Trial [Naxos AudioBooks]

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The Trial [Naxos AudioBooks]

By: Franz Kafka, David Whiting - translator
Narrated by: Rupert Degas
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About this listen

The Trial is one of the great works of the 20th century - an extraordinary vision of one man put on trial by an anonymous authority on an unspecified charge. Kafka evokes all the terrifying reality of his ordeal.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2007 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd. (P)2007 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd. Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction

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Kafkaesque is a term we hear often. This book is where it began. Joseph K being put on trial by grim authoritarians and for no clear reason. Rupert Degas’s excellent narration kept me gripped in what is otherwise a very bleak book.

Excellent narration of a difficult book.

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The narration is not particular exiting, which fits the theme of the book, but makes it hard to pay attention - I had to listen to several chapters twice because I had lost focus. (This was not the case when I listened to 'War and Peace' and '1984')
However, the story is great, a Kafka classic.

Difficult to keep attention, but great story

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I was concerned that the narrator would be too monotonous for what is already a heavy-going book, but he managed to do a good job (although I felt he didn't always keep the different voices going).
I don't know why this edition has an apparently unique translation - I presume rights issues, but it does strike me as rather superfluous if not.

Brilliant

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The narrator was very good, comforting voice. It was recommended to me from a couple of sources, so I knew it was about the way we build our own chains and own patterns to imprison ourselves.

I didn't enjoy the futility of it all, that he just wasn't able to escape it, I struggled with him accepting all this weird advise that didn't make sense to him at first until he just believes it all.

I struggle with the idea that I too make my chains as if I have power to change it, non of it is real, yet it all feels so real.

I would not recommend if you like happy endings, or uplifting tales. Good luck.

I didn't enjoy but couldn't stop either

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Disturbing, chilling and claustrophobic story about the unending processes of a corrupt totalitarian state. Depressing and relevant as a possible indication of the direction of travel of current politics.

Great classis well told!

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If you could sum up The Trial [Naxos AudioBooks] in three words, what would they be?

a slow, pathological destabilization of a human being. The overall corrupt and inefficient legal process where you could never win seem designed to force people into insanity.

What did you like best about this story?

How Josef K could stay so calm for so long. He seemed to think that he could win and prove his innocence, but all he could see is people under the heel of "system". Made out in so much detail

Have you listened to any of Rupert Degas’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Great

Any additional comments?

Shares some of the characteristics of Jonathan Swift hatred for the legal system and lawyers. Having recently finished a book I really liked the theme. Was also a HUGE fan of 1984 and this felt almost the same. Great book

a dull life brought to insanity

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A very good story, a classic by Kafka, albeit the narration could be a not dry and monotonous at times.

Great Story, Monotonous performance

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Darkly funny at times and deeply depressing at others. Sometimes difficult to follow, especially when Kafka just gives up and doesn't finish a chapter.

The act of being persecuted by an unknown authority is an important and fascinating allegorical tale, however, Kafka's weakness here (or perhaps his ultimate point) is to render the plight of the protagonist pointless, as it was decided from the start, therefore providing a frustrating experience for the reader, when nothing is resolved and then you die.

The Process

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the narrator did an absolutely brilliant job retelling such a classic story, and to anyone who’s not experienced this book/audio book DO IT NOW

great job narrator. kafka you have deeply mindf*cked me

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Great performance, but the book develops slowly and feels quickly finished. Wouldn't recommend for an older audience.

Excellent reading, - weak story

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