Franz Kafka Books in Order

Franz Kafka is a pivotal figure in 20th-century literature, renowned for his distinctive and profound body of work. Born into a middle-class German-speaking Jewish family in Prague, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), Kafka's unique writing style, often left unfinished and published posthumously, has had a profound impact on Western literature. His notable works include the novella "The Metamorphosis" (1912) and the short story "In the Penal Colony" (1914), as well as novels like "The Trial" (1925), "The Castle" (1926), and "Amerika" (1927). A polyglot, Kafka was fluent in both German and Czech, and had a working knowledge of French and its culture, citing Gustave Flaubert as a significant influence. Kafka's academic background is equally fascinating, having initially studied chemistry at the Charles-Ferdinand University of Prague before switching to law, which allowed him to pursue courses in German studies and art history. It was during his university years that he met Max Brod, a lifelong friend and confidant who would play a crucial role in promoting Kafka's work after his death.