Guus Bosman

A month ago I read Die Verwandlung by Kafka. It had been a long time since I read a book in German. Kafka is one of my favorite authors and reading this book was a great joy.

The language of the book is so beautiful, and it's really nice to be able to read it in its original language. The opening sentence for example, is a classic beauty: Als Gregor Samsa eines Morgens aus unruhigen Träumen erwachte, fand er sich in seinem Bett zu einem ungeheueren Ungeziefer verwandelt. Note that in English the word Ungeziefer is often translated to vermin, an interesting choice. Would a Dutch translator use ongedierte?

The story was touching and absurd at the same time. A google on the book shows that there are many different explanations for what the story "really" means, and I'm glad I enjoyed it as much as I did without trying the understand the deeper meaning.