Metamorphosis

A BBC Radio 4 reading

By: Franz Kafka

Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch reads Franz Kafka's famous story of man-turned-insect, Metamorphosis

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018

After a night of troubled dreams, Gregor Samsa wakes to discover that he has turned into a huge, monstrous, cockroach-like creature, with an armour-plated back and multiple limbs.

Gradually, he comes to terms with his new state - but his parents and sister are horrified and increasingly revolted. To them, Gregor is unclean, verminous and entirely repellent, and as he becomes more and more of a burden, their horror turns to a terrible indifference...

First published in 1915, Kafka's surreal existential novella explores concepts such as the absurdity of life, alienation and the disconnect between mind and body. Read by Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Star Trek, The Imitation Game), this tale - often described as one of the greatest in the history of fiction - is chilling, captivating and darkly comic.


©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Great Performance, quick listen, interesting

Basically, it's all just variations on a theme; spoiler alert (100+ years after publication, not much to spoil), the main character wakes up as an insect. The rest is just a rumination on that condition. But, it's a great reading by Cumberbatch. And it's under two hours, so an easy way to hear a 20th century classic.

Very Sad

Emotional story of humanity and much more. With a narrator like this you want it to go on forever just to hear his voice. Beautiful job.

Classic.

I personally identify with many of Kafka's characters, especially with Gregor in "The Metamorphosis." Kafka's writings will make you think deeply about sacrifices made in vain.

Great narration

I could listen to Benedict Cumberbatch any day! This story was quite odd and I actually expected a different ending! But I encourage you to listen to the whole thing!

Spooky good

Well done, I'd never read the story before, Surprising storyline. expressive even with a limited number of words, excellent narrator