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My Disappointing Experience with Kafka's Metamorphosis and the Narration Mistake by Sergey Choniashvili
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The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
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The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

This classic novella's a wild ride into the depths of existential crisis. You'll be questioning everything as you delve into Kafka's thought-provoking exploration of identity, alienation, and the human condition. It's a real mind-bender that'll leave you thinking long after you finish reading.
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My Disappointing Experience with Kafka's Metamorphosis and the Narration Mistake by Sergey Choniashvili

summarizeEditor's Summary

I recently revisited Kafka's Metamorphosis, a classic I'd been meaning to read since my university days. Unfortunately, my experience was marred by a narration mistake by Sergey Choniashvili. As someone with a theatre background, I was initially drawn to the audiobook's engaging narration, but some moments fell flat. The story itself is thought-provoking and psychologically complex, but the reader's errors detract from the overall impact. The book's notorious difficulty to find in libraries back in the 90s is now a thing of the past, thanks to LitRes making it easily accessible. I was expecting a more polished performance from a well-known actor like Sergey Choniashvili, but the mistakes were jarring. Despite this, the story remains a classic worth reading, even if the narration falters. The audio format allows for a convenient reading experience, and the story is well-structured and easy to follow.

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VerdictKötü
HikayeKalitesi6/10
Kitapİçeriği9/10
OkuyucuKalitesi8/10
AnlatımHataları2/10
My Disappointing Experience with Kafka's Metamorphosis and the Narration Mistake by Sergey Choniashvili
Going back to my university days, I was studying theatre direction and our teachers would often mention Franz Kafka, strongly recommending that we read his work. However, back in the 90s, it was tough to find his books in our libraries, and I didn't have the time to read him. But now I've got the chance. Although I'm not exactly thrilled with the first book I picked up.
It's called Metamorphosis. I listened to it in audio format on the LitRes website, taking advantage of the opportunity to read and listen for free there, by connecting my library (which has been available on LitRes for a few years now, but I only found out about it last year and immediately started listening to various audiobooks that I could get for free through my library).
The text in the audio book, Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, is read by the well-known actor Sergey Choniashvili. He does a great job, if it wasn't for a few moments. As someone with a theatre direction background and years of studying stage speech and acting, I evaluate the reader's work not just as a casual listener, but from a professional perspective.
I have to admit, when I listened to Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, narrated by Sergey Choniashvili, I forgot about my professional perspective and went back to how I experienced it as a kid, before I got into theater. And I really enjoyed it – not just in terms of acting skills, but also the way he delivered the dialogue. One thing that didn't quite sit right with me was something I'll get to later.
The book is quite unique. It starts with a young traveling salesman who's been supporting his family – including his elderly parents and a young sister – for years. But then, out of the blue, he falls ill. Since the salesman was so responsible, he even tried to make it to work despite his condition, shouting at his parents and a visiting supervisor through the locked door that he'd get dressed and rush to work. But it just wasn't happening, and his voice was starting to sound more and more like the buzzing of an insect.
That's when things got a bit off for me in Sergey Choniashvili's narration. The young salesman was very humble and meek. He was used to living in poverty and taking orders from various bosses and colleagues. So, his dialogue was full of self-deprecating remarks. However, Sergey Choniashvili seemed to want to bring the salesman's voice closer to the sound of buzzing insects, so he delivered these lines with a tone that was more arrogant than meek. It really grated on me! I mean, if it was just once, I could've overlooked it. But it kept happening – every time the salesman spoke, Sergey Choniashvili's voice came across as that of a cocky troublemaker who loved causing trouble. And that really didn't sit well with me.
I've gotta say, this book is super philosophical - it's got a lot of underlying meaning. Kafka's pretty much saying that if you're the sole breadwinner in your family and you're working your butt off, day and night, and then something happens to you (or you get really sick and can't work anymore), forget about it. Your family's gonna stop loving and appreciating you. They'll feel bad for you for a bit, but then they'll try to get rid of you like a bad habit.
What really got my goat was the way the little sister treated the main character. At first, he was counting on her, relying on her to be smart and resourceful and responsible. But then she starts acting all weird and finally just says, 'Hey, let's not even call this creepy bug (which is what the traveling salesman turned into) your brother anymore. And, honestly, let's just get rid of it ASAP.'
And don't even get me started on the father - what a total psycho and jerk. When he still didn't know what was going on with his son, he's already pounding on the door, yelling and screaming, 'Why won't you get up and go to work?!' And then, once everyone knows what's happened to the son, the dad's just trying to hurt, maim, and kill his own kid. (I wanted to give that creepy dad a good whuppin'!)
I've got to admit, I'm not a fan of the main character's mom. She's just so... annoying. She's always fawning over the visiting salesman and babbling on like crazy. Then she's constantly fainting at the drop of a hat. I get it, she's upset about her son's accident, but come on! He's hiding under the couch, trying not to freak out. But no, she's like a dog with a bone, insisting on going into his room, and then, of course, she's got to faint again. At first, I felt bad for her, but by the end, I was just rolling my eyes. It got old fast.
I was really hoping something would happen to break the curse, like the salesman would wake up from a bad dream or something. Or maybe the main character would just magically recover. But nope, that didn't happen. I was really disappointed, and now I'm not even sure I want to read any more Kafka. It's also pretty ridiculous that the rest of the family suddenly becomes super capable after they lose their main breadwinner. I mean, the dad was supposedly a total invalid for years, but as soon as he's gone, suddenly they're all superheroes.
I listened to the audiobook through the official app LitRес: Books and Audiobooks, which lets you read and listen to books offline, adjust the reading speed, font, background, and check the table of contents.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is Metamorphosis a good book for beginners?

While Metamorphosis is a classic, it's not necessarily an easy read. The book deals with complex themes and has a unique, psychologically complex narrative. If you're new to Kafka, you might find it challenging, but it's definitely worth the effort.

Can I get Metamorphosis for free on LitRes?

Yes, if you have a library subscription on LitRes, you can access Metamorphosis and many other audiobooks for free. You'll need to connect your library to the service and browse their collection.

What's the deal with Sergey Choniashvili's narration?

Sergey Choniashvili is a well-known actor, and his narration of Metamorphosis is generally good. However, there are some mistakes and inconsistencies that detract from the experience. It's worth noting that these errors are particularly noticeable for someone with a theatre background.

Is Metamorphosis available in other formats?

Metamorphosis is typically available in print, e-book, and audiobook formats. You can check your local bookstores or online retailers for availability.

What's the story about?

Metamorphosis is a classic novella by Franz Kafka that tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a man who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. The story explores themes of identity, isolation, and the absurdity of modern life.

Can I return Metamorphosis if I don't like it?

If you've purchased Metamorphosis on LitRes, you can return it if you're not satisfied. However, this may depend on their return policy and any applicable fees.

Is LitRes a good service for audiobook enthusiasts?

LitRes is a great service for audiobook enthusiasts, offering a wide selection of titles, including classics like Metamorphosis. They also have a convenient interface and a subscription-based model that makes it easy to access new books.

What's the build quality of the audiobook?

The audiobook's build quality is generally good, with clear sound and a well-structured narrative. However, the mistakes in Sergey Choniashvili's narration detract from the overall experience.

check_circlePros

  • •Engaging narration by Sergey Choniashvili, which is a big plus for audiobooks
  • •The story is thought-provoking and has a unique, psychological depth
  • •Metamorphosis is a classic that's worth reading, even if the narration falters
  • •The book is now easily accessible on LitRes, which is a great service for audiobook enthusiasts
  • •The audio format allows for a convenient reading experience, especially with a good reader
  • •The story is well-structured and easy to follow
  • •The book explores themes of identity, isolation, and the absurdity of modern life
  • •The narration is generally good, with clear sound and a well-structured narrative
  • •LitRes offers a wide selection of titles, including classics like Metamorphosis

cancelCons

  • •Sergey Choniashvili's narration has some glaring mistakes that detract from the experience
  • •The reader's errors are particularly jarring for someone with a theatre background
  • •The narration's inconsistency makes it hard to fully immerse in the story
  • •The mistakes are especially noticeable in a book that's all about language and storytelling
  • •The reader's performance is not as polished as I'd expect from a well-known actor
  • •The errors take away from the book's overall impact and message
  • •The narration mistakes are frustrating, especially in a book that's meant to be a masterpiece
  • •The experience is disappointing, especially considering the book's classic status
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