The Trial [Naxos AudioBooks]

By: Franz Kafka, David Whiting - translator

Narrated by: Rupert Degas

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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2007 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd. (P)2007 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd.

Deeply thought-provoking, though not enjoyable

While this novel is deeply thought-provoking and sparks hours of philosophical discussion and parallels to totalitarian governments, it's not that enjoyable. It's an allegory, so all its characters are symbols, not real people. It's a novel students of law, history, politics, and philosophy can debate for hours. But it's not something where you emotionally connect with anyone but main character Josef K. You feel and live through his gradual, exasperating oppression by the law and totalitarian system. The whole experience is like enduring a horrible nightmare.

Any of us who must deal with exhausting, mindless, impersonal bureaucracy, whether it's a company, the government, politics, or our legal system, will emotionally and psychologically relate to this novel.

It's not a novel I'd read again except to review certain intellectual points. But I see why it's a masterpiece. It leaves you cold and horrified at the end.

Kafka is not for me

Fantastic narrator, I wouldn't have finished the book if it wasn't because of him. Kafka is definitelly not my style. Way too absurd. And for irresolute stories, I prefer Paul Auster.

Reader

The reader is beyond amazing very good performance. Very good story, well written and overall a very good reading experience.

A farcical plot not unlike those of nightmares

This book is not what I expected. More dystopian than nightmarish, but with the levity that grows out of a farcical judicial system that the world has not seen since the days of Hammurabi. It is an anti-rational system that prosecutes its citizenry seemingly without cause and certainty without pressing charges. Was this intended to be an attorney’s utopia?

Trials and Tribulations

I have always adored Kafka's work and being an attorney, I had to read this novel. The Trial is often considered Kafka's masterwork, despite being technically unfinished. Don't worry; this incredibly bleak story has a proper ending albeit a bit unpolished. This is the story of a truly dystopian legal system, eerily similar to our own in many respects, and K, our protagonist who isn't even aware of what he is on trial for. I won't describe the plot further for fear of spoilers, but I will say that the final two chapters still give me chills.

Also, I greatly preferred Rupert Degas' performance to George Guidall's version. Both men are good at their jobs, but Degas' tone is a far better fit for this kind story. Ultimately, I just can't say enough to praise this novel. Beyond highly recommended!