New Directions The Lost Writings

Kafka, still most intriguing writer of the 20th century. Defining black comedy and existential slapstick with enormous empathy for the marginalized and scenes from one’s private mindscape. This handsome small book is a new Kafka treasure, making a strong case that ALL his works were fragments, and the better for it. Some of the pieces here are only a few sentences long, and will echo long in memory. Some are longer, oblique yet transparent, too - concrete details we somehow believe are common but set us forth into impenetrable mysteries. I will reread this, always to challenge complacency and clarify confusion,

I'm glad I'm not the only person who was freaked out by the cover! I think it's a little too "cute" a design for its own good personally.

It is a present for my son.

BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. Got package, swabbed it, waited Coved 3 days to open. Cover is smeared, STAINED (?) with God only knows. Terrible.