Product Description

This letter is the closest that Kafka came to setting down his autobiography. He was driven to write it by his father's opposition to his engagement with Julie Wohryzek. The marriage did not take place; the letter was not delivered.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #123130 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 104 pages

New York Sun, Eric Ormsby, July 9, 2008
In his preface he [the translator Howard Colyer] states that he was most concerned to reproduce the raw "venting of feelings" in the letter as well as the extraordinary "momentum of the prose." In both these aims he succeeds. Unlike earlier, and fussier, versions, his translation catches the naked energy of the original.

Customer Reviews

Essential reading for understanding Kafka's works
This translation should be required reading for anyone interested in the works of Kafka. It contains the keys to unlock a new level of understanding; how Kafka's relationship with his father shaped both Kafka himself and everything that he wrote. Kafka sees his father as a raging authoritarian figure from whom he can never escape, and whose strength of character and sense of irreproachableness leaves Kafka crushed. In Franz's own words: "my writing dealt with you."

On another level, the letter carries a thought-provoking message to fathers everywhere. Kafka ably demonstrates how in both small incidents and in traits of character, the way that a father relates to his son can have a profound impact on the son that may affect him for his whole life.

On a third level, this new translation succeeds wonderfully in conveying the emotion and hurt that Kafka feels. It is hard not to be moved when reading it. The spirit of the letter is perfectly captured, and the flow of the prose allows it to shine through the logical arguments presented. For many of us, this is as close to Kafka as we're ever likely to get.

Emotional, difficult read but well worth the effort
Howard Colyer's translation of Letter to My Father is very good. The writing flows well -- stream of consciousness -- which I think stays true to the spirit of original. I speak a little bit of German and I know that it can be difficult to get smooth, readable prose in English, but Mr Colyer has accomplished just that.

The subject of the letter makes the piece difficult to digest; after all, you are reading the emotional output of a man confronting his abuser. So, I can't say it was a pleasant read, but I can appreciate the effort Mr Colyer put into the translation and would recommend this to anyone with an interest in Kafka.