Castle -- Modern and Contemporary World Literature Series

Author: Franz Kafka (Austrian), translated by Tang Yongkuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-12-01
Features: The "Contemporary World Literature Series" selects works from the contemporary and modern periods, with a focus on contemporary world literary circles, totaling thirty titles for the time being. These works help readers understand the characteristics of foreign societies and major literary trends in the contemporary era, and provide a reference for us to learn from outstanding world literature. The Castle is the author's most distinctive and important novel: Surveyor K is assigned to take up a position at a castle, but unexpectedly finds himself blocked outside the castle gates. Thus, the protagonist K engages in a protracted and tedious seesaw battle with the castle authorities over whether he can enter the castle. The castle is located on a small hill right before his eyes, yet it is out of reach; it is so cold, imposing, and majestic, like a giant beast gazing down at K; it represents a vast bureaucratic organization with strict hierarchies, countless departments, and countless officials, yet there are also countless documents sealed away, left unread and unprocessed for years. Faced with this powerful castle, K feels helpless, and by the end, he never enters the castle nor meets its authorities. The book is shrouded in a mysterious and nightmarish atmosphere from beginning to end; it is profound and leaves a lasting impression.