Kafka: A Graphic Novel Adaptation
By: Franz Kafka, Nishioka Kyoudai, David Yang (Translator), Nishioka Kyōdai
Genre: Manga
Number of Pages: 176
Published: October 24, 2023 (1st Published April 20, 2010)
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Dates Read: October 23, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook

Two favorite Japanese writers present graphic adaptations of nine of Franz Kafka’s classic short stories: The Metamorphosis, A Hunger Artist, In the Penal Colony, A Country Doctor, The Concerns of a Patriarch, The Bucket Rider, Jackals and Arabs, A Fratricide, and The Vulture. 

I am a pretty big fan of Kafka. Was first given him in my Fiction II writing course in college and have loved him ever since. My favorites have been The Metamorphosis, The Penal Colony, and The Bucket Rider – so you can bet I was overly excited to see a manga adaptation of these come to life and I wasn’t disappointed in seeing them come to life in manga form.

I especially want to applaud The Metamorphosis not showing what the creature was, but only showing the family and lodger’s reactions to seeing it – just like Kafka had wanted.

Which brings up the fact that it is manga, and was translated from Japanese into English – but it was first translated from German to Japanese. All of these adapted versions. As someone who loves Kafka, I was slightly disappointed in what was missing in some of the stories, but I’m still impressed by David Yang’s job at the translation.

Overall, I think any fans of Kafka would like this version of the stories as it does give them a new translation and a twist in a way.

*Thank you Pushkin Press and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review