In the Penal Colony

By: Franz Kafka

Narrated by: Peter Yearsley

"In the Penal Colony" ("In der Strafkolonie") (also translated as "In the Penal Settlement") is a short story by Franz Kafka written in German in October 1914, revised in November 1918, and first published in October 1919. The story is set in an unnamed penal colony. Internal clues and the setting on an island suggest Octave Mirbeau's "The Torture Garden" as an influence. As in some of Kafka's other writings, the narrator in this story seems detached from, or perhaps numbed by, events that one would normally expect to be registered with horror. "In the Penal Colony" describes the last use of an elaborate torture and execution device that carves the sentence of the condemned prisoner on his skin before letting him die, all in the course of 12 hours. As the plot unfolds, the listener learns more and more about the machine, including its origin and original justification.

Public Domain (P)2016 Paperless

Dark, Twisted and Interesting

Very interesting and will keep you hanging onto every word. When you finally get the whole picture, IT’S SHOCKING

a bit confusing, but not for Kafka fans

in the penal colony, is a must for any Kafka fan, his views on judgement and punishment, all dark btw, are worthy of our contemplation

I’m a fan

I have a similar personal perspective, no civil rights from early childhood, and no permitted affection for life, because of just another hocus-pocus condemnation from the extreme prejudice of criminals and bigots

in the penal colony

terrible recording quality. a shame as i was looking forward to listening. i would like my credit back.