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The Castle

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About this listen

A land-surveyor, known only as K., arrives at a small village permanently covered in snow and dominated by a castle to which access seems permanently denied. K.'s attempts to discover why he has been called constantly run up against the peasant villagers, who are in thrall to the absurd bureaucracy that keeps the castle shut, and the rigid hierarchy of power among the self-serving bureaucrats themselves. But in this strange wilderness, there is passion, tenderness and considerable humour. Darkly bizarre, this complex book was the last novel by one of the 20th century's greatest and most influential writers.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2010 Naxos Audiobooks Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense Village Fiction Scary
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Most relevant

Would you consider the audio edition of The Castle to be better than the print version?

I have to be honest and say that, although this was superbly read, I was irritated with the story and I borrowed a copy of the print version just so I could skim to the end and claim I'd read it.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

What does it mean? For me it was exactly like one of those horrible, involved dreams where you can't get anywhere, or do anything, and there is a lingering sense of menace.

What about Allan Corduner’s performance did you like?

Everything, he's a really good performer and I'd happily listen to him again.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved to tears of relief when I finally "finished" it.

Any additional comments?

Despite not enjoying it at all, it's nearly a year since I listened to it and I can still remember a lot about it and I still think about it - perhaps that's why it is considered a masterpiece?

Not my idea of a good read

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A great book, well read. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Please be aware, though, the book is unfinished.

Loved it

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I read a comment once that Kafka was just comes across as a guy on a coarse on creative writing. Of course. And a very good one. This book is rambling and has no plot. Wordy, People speak forever. A series of set pieces. But so atmospheric, Amazing. Who cares if there is no plot? Also has sex and slapstick humour (Kafka was a Laurel and Hardy fan). A wonderful random trip to nowhere.

Wonderful bizarreness

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Allan Corduner has the the perfect voice for K's interminable struggle with labyrinthine bureaucracy. Hypnotically riveting, Kafka's unfinished last work is perfectly incomplete.

perfectly voiced

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Well read and ofcourse a thrilling story. Found easy to navigate through out the chapters.

Optional opinion

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