52 pages • 1 hour read
Franz KafkaThe Castle
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1926A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Castle by Franz Kafka, K. arrives at a village to work as a land surveyor but faces relentless bureaucratic obstacles from the Castle’s authorities. As he strives to gain access to the Castle and legitimacy, K. navigates confusing relationships and conflicting instructions from various village officials and residents, ultimately ending in uncertainty and frustration. The book addresses themes of bureaucratic alienation and sexual exploitation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Franz Kafka's The Castle captivates with its surreal narrative and existential themes. Praise centers on its complex characters and exploration of bureaucracy and alienation. However, the unresolved plot and dense prose may deter some readers. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read that stimulates deep reflection, despite potential frustrations.
Who Should Read The Castle?
A reader who would enjoy The Castle by Franz Kafka is one who appreciates complex narratives, existential themes, and surreal experiences. Fans of Kafka's own The Trial and Albert Camus’ The Stranger will find value in the intricate, thought-provoking journey of the protagonist, K., as he navigates the opaque and absurd bureaucratic world.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1280LBook Details
Classic Fiction
Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Philosophy
Class
Politics / Government
History: World
Modernism
Absurdism
Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Society: Class
Society: Politics & Government