The Metamorphosis has officially joined the ‘short classics that keep me up at night pondering about my life’ group. The story follows Gregor Samsa, a young travelling salesman, who wakes up one morning transformed into a bug. This sudden change leaves him unable to support the family that is ‘dependent’ on him.

The novel is a poignant commentary on humanity, the individual and our place in the world. Gregor is selfless - he puts the needs and desires of his family above himself - to the point that it detriments his state of being (quite literally). Yet, even in this strange and distressing predicament, his thoughts are entirely on continuing to accommodate his family to his new condition, despite it being him who needs most help.

I loved how intricate the extended metaphor of Gregor turning into a bug was, showcasing his declining mental health from the pressure that society and his family put on him. It was used as a vessel to heighten the dichotomy between Gregor’s extreme selflessness to his family’s unrelenting selfishness and the tragedy that stems from this.

Kafka did a fantastic job at digging out our most palpable anxieties. Over the last year I have found myself in love with the short story/novelette form. It’s truly remarkable how much impact a great writer can achieve with such little space. The Metamorphosis is brilliant, and a story that will stay with me for a very long time to come.

Highly recommend, however please be aware that it deals with difficult topics.