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Reviewed by The Kawk

If you are prone to commit suicide, or are an overly pessimistic person, this book may be best avoided - definately not for those with weak hearts.

But for the rest, Oh My God, what a book it is!

It is set in pre-war Germany, mid 1920s. The protagonist, Joseph K - who could also be seen as the antagonist - is in constant internal conflict with himself. He is arrested one morning by the government, without any reasons. He spends the rest of the novel trying to find out why in heaven's name he's been arrested. He roams around a set of labyrinthine corridors in the law offices. They're actually run-down, stuffy brick buildings. Meanwhile, lots of women fall for him and offer to help him with his case¹.

Throughout the novel, Joseph is under the real or imagined delusion that the Assistant Manager at the bank where he works is out to usurp him and grab his job, and there are several indications of that. He is also unhappy with the way his case is proceeding, and sacks his lawyer.

Eventually, he meets a priest who narrates to him a parable about a man who tries to obtain access to the law, but is prevented from doing so by the doorkeeper. So, the man keeps waiting there for the rest of his life and finally, as he is dying, the doorkeeper shuts the door, saying that nobody else wanted access to the law because the door was intended specifically for the man.

Eventually, at the end of the novel, Joseph is grabbed from his apartment and marched through the city and then executed. More accurately, he is expected to take the knife and kill himself, and is only executed when it is clear that he's not gonna oblige.

Okay, thats about it. Pretty confusing, I know, but I'd say that this book is a must-read for anyone even remotely interested in books. (apart from those with weak hearts etc etc.

Try thinking of the whole book as one big metaphor referring to life and society.

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