The Judgement. You don't need to know any biographical details about Kafka to know that he didn't get on with his father, that he was a domineering, manipulative bully who sapped all his son's self-confidence as if the man became a child again under the onslaught of his wounding words. He couldn't have written this in such a chilling manner if he hadn't lived it.

The Penal Colony is much more interesting. What its about is supposedly the product of a very devious and cruel mind, that of a true sadist. But its much deeper and far more chilling than that. And of course, at the end, someone dies. That's Kafka for you, always a trip towards mortality. ( )

The judgement: Being a child of "today" I don't feel it convincing enough...thought it was a bit melodramatic...but isn't that what Kafka's about? Hmmm...I wonder!

In the penal Colony: LOVED IT! I mean haven't we all seen people who like to take the law in their own hands and how harsh they can be...showed a very nice perspective on how people in the colonies were treated...at some point ( )

quite simply mind blowing. written in a stream of consciousness style over a night's period 10PM-6AM as he later noted in his journal, this is Kafka channeling ghosts, dreams, and Freud. ( )

There's something to be said for rereading. I *thought* I had read 'The Judgement' before, and I *know* I've read 'In the Penal Colony' several times, but both had stretches which felt brand new. Weird.

Regardless: these stories are essential. If you don't get anything out of them, come back in five years. They'll be there, waiting. ( )