As a philosophical exercise this novel succeeds, as entertainment
it's lacking. What I mean is that Kafka's frustration with
bureaucracy comes through clearly in this work. It's his nightmare.
K, the protagonist has been contracted to do work at the castle, but
he cannot get there – no roads lead to the castle, no one can
introduce him or take him there, and despite finding a place in the
village his ultimate goal is continually thwarted.
I did appreciate how Kafka demonstrates the villagers loyalty to the officials of the castle, even when they didn't understand what the officials did, or why, or how. It's surely a commentary on questioning authority.
But the novel was frustrating and that, I believe is Kafka's intention – to evoke a strong emotional discontentment through a frustrated main character. That's the success of the novel – and it did make me think about the condition of life, being guided like a mule after the carrot on a stick.
I didn't enjoy the novel, but I learned from it and maybe that's the highest compliment of all.
- CV Rick, February 2008
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