The Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka
To summarise this novella, would actually blow your mind. This is not a child's book, and I'm led to believe it's taught in many universities around the country. Essentially, a man wakes up and finds himself now an insect, a hideous insect. His family are struggling for money, and he is the sole provider for the family but of course, he is no more, because he's an insect. This puts an incredible strain on the family who can't bear to look at this 'monster' but still feed it. Anyways, the insect dies and the family poke it with a brush to ensure it's dead. And that's that.
Strangely, I felt an overwhelming feeling of sadness at the end, I had actually connected with the insect... Maybe that says more about me, however. Great wee read and only 50 pages long, but it's best to read it before you know what it's about, as any description must surely put one off.
Anyone who's read it, care to comment or provide some deeper analysis?
Also, at the end, when the girl stretches, am I to take it that she too is turning into an insect or is she just relieved at having the burden off her shoulders or is it indeed intended to be ambigious?