The Trial by Franz Kafka 

A Literary Fiction, 1925 by Der Prozess, 255 Pages

What I Didn’t Like:

• Normally I like endings that leave you wondering but this one is literally unfinished. Kafka died before this one was published. It doesn’t end in a way that made me think. It ended as if it was cut off. I wanted more. 
• Definitely a sense of hopelessness from this one. It feels too heavy, too real. (Yes, I’ll come back to this in a second). 
• Dry. Much of this is likely due to translation, but it is a bit dry. 

What I Did Like:

• Terrifying concept of guilt and laws in the tradition of other dystopias. Can you face a trial for a crime you aren’t even aware of?
• The fact that Kafka was able to create that utter feeling of doom and hopelessness from a story is evidence of great writing. You close this book incredibly thankful you are not K. 
• Psychological. This one is a thinker, which is fun. You have to focus on what’s happening and try to catch the lessons being tossed at you. 

Who Should Read This One:

• Classic lovers. I mean, you have to try them all, right?
• Law students, I would imagine, will draw a lot from this one and enjoy dissecting it. 
• Really, anyone with a book club who like to THINK and discuss things that were deeper than they first appeared will enjoy unpacking this one. 

My Rating: 3 Stars

• This isn’t one that will be loved by every reader but if you find yourself in the niche you should absolutely give it a try!