What book of his should I read first, and what should I know about him or the way he writes before diving in?
EDIT: Thank you all for your lovely responses. I have decided to go with The Metamorphosis based on your suggestions and the fact that it was the only work of his at the library. Looking forward to it!
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[deleted]
[In the Penal Colony](http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/kafka/inthepenalcolony.htm)
It was the first thing I read by him and after reading everything else, it’s still my favourite.
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Metamorphosis.
It’s probably his most well-known and easiest to get into. From there I would recommend The Trial and then The Castle.
I personally attempted Amerika twice and wasn’t able to finish it. His letters and stuff are interesting but I don’t know how much you’d get from them without reading his great works.
I began with Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. It’s arguably his most well-known story. Not a difficult read, but it will make you think.
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I’d read Metamorphosis, the Trial, then Amerika.
I don’t personally think he’s too unapproachable from certain books. Just pick up one and try! I started with *The Trial* and loved it.
In the Penal colony is my favorite. Its really (almost sickeningly) descriptive. The hunger artist and The judgement are pretty interesting too.
I think to get the full Kafka experience one must become very familiar to him as a writer and the beautiful art he crafted using the English language as his medium. AmIrightt?!”
I would actually recommend one of his shorter works so you can figure out what you’re getting yourself into. While Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Castle are all great, it might be easier to get your feet wet with something shorter than 70 pages. I personally started with Hunger Artist.
My bad for not being articulate enough on that statement. I could understand where you mis-interpreted.