The Trial

No novel can even come close to this one in the intensely nightmarish portrayal of it’s type of dark "justice".Put simply, this book haunts me.I could not stop thinking about it, it played over and over in my mind because I have questions, so many questions.What is the trial? Is K actually guilty or is he innocent?A historic classic masterwork that plants in its reader bad dream seeds that may not germinate for years, but they will... oh yes, they will.

I purchased this book in the Everyman's Library Classics Edition. The Everyman's Library Classics Edition books are, in my opinion, the best quality books available in the price-range.They are quality bound; with acid-free paper, dust jacket, and ribbon page marker.There are also a great range of authors available in this collection; and they are very reasonably priced.

The trial vies with The Castle for the greatest novel of all time. I am not here to review the novel as that has been done more than adequately elsewhere. I have read this book possibly a dozen times but not this translation, for some reason. The translation, by Idris Parry, is competent but clunky. Kafka's prose is not the easiest but I think two translators have done better. I prefer Breon Mitchell on Schocken or Mike Mitchell in Oxford World Classics. This is, of course, a personal preference. You are more likely to pick up this translation (or the Muirs) in a bookshop but I would recommend ordering online for one of the Mitchell translations.

Another book on my University reading list. I love it! It reminded me of Orwell's 1984, in that the main character is so introspective and verging on the mentally instable (that last point is good for debate!). I liked the way each chapter could almost be read as a seperate story - each one seemed very contained and condensed, and there seemed a clear break between each one. It was like reading something new, which made the overall read more interesting as there was always something new happening, and more people getting introduced. The story is written like the main character 'K.' is in a sort of dream, where strange things happen yet are enough based on realistic situations and things that it could be either dream or reality. It makes you think, and question. 'The Trial' focuses on concepts of questioning authority, the legitimacy of authority, obsession, guilt, isolation and bureaucracy. Very suited to the modern world.

Applicable as much today as it was when written-how 'things' get blown out of all proportion.