The Metamorphosis

By: Franz Kafka

Narrated by: Patrick Shannon

The Metamorphosis
FRANZ KAFKA

The Metamorphosis tells the unsettling story of Gregor Samsa’s transformation into something entirely unexpected: “a monstrous insect.”

This is not just a novel about physical transformation but also a deep reflection on alienation and loneliness.

The listener will not only to enjoy Kafka’s incomparable style but also to confront the vital questions that only a masterpiece can provoke.

©2025 Aubiblio Studios LLC (P)2025 Aubiblio Studios LLC

Wow

Disturbingly impossible to put down. Kafka hooks. Once, duly whaled, readers are dragged into futile attempts to justify absurdity.

The OG "Would you love me if I were an insect?"

🪲 Kafka is the OG “Would you still love me if I were an insect?”
Well… the answer is no, apparently.
At least not when the individual’s family rushes to dismiss their humanity - which, honestly, makes me suspect they never really saw them as human in the first place. More like mechanical providers. Functional. Useful. Easily replaceable.
They were just waiting for the perfect excuse to disregard their feelings entirely.

🧠 Internalised Dehumanisation
It doesn’t help when the individual themself views their own self as unworthy —an “insect”— and slowly lets go of any love or self-respect.
Once that switch flips, the world doesn’t even need to push anymore. The collapse is internal.

🎭 Antagonists Everywhere
While the story definitely has several antagonists, I would argue that everyone takes turns wearing the villain cape. However, the biggest two stand out clearly:
• The sister, who slowly and methodically chips away at Gregor
• Gregor himself, self-resigned and submissively passive in his own life

📚 Shoutout to (in another version)
Susan Bernofsky whose translation and afterword were genuinely excellent, especially her choice to elevate Kafka beyond the literal level of words.
David Cronenberg for a thought-provoking introduction that nudges the reader toward a philosophical and metaphysical reading of what might otherwise feel like a stark, one-dimensional Kafka tale.
They actually got an additional star for this book.

Modern translation, easier to visualize

The words used in this audiobook feels very common and modernized, it felt like a story being told by a friend, less complex words, very conversation like structure, very much appreciated it. I somehow can't find the version of this audiobook in literature as I can't seem to find an exact word by word translation. I've went to Barnes and Nobles but I think they have the classic translation. Nonetheless, I love this version. Highly recommend it.

Great option for this novella

After looking a several audio versions of this book, I decided to try this one, which at this time at least, is part of the Plus Collection. I'm glad I did. Aside from the narrator pronouncing "Gregor" as "Greegor", they did a great job. The book was very easy to listen to and I found myself really absorbed into the story and narration. I'm really stuck between giving the performance a 4 or a 5 - aside from that one name, the narration was great, so I went with a 5.

Bad translation

Though the performance was fine, the transition and editing were terrible, the pronouns are the most glaring example, constantly using she, he and they interchangeably, making it confusing. Never go cheap on the classics.