The Complete Stories Of Franz Kafka
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''The Complete Stories of Franz Kafka'' is a compilation of all of Kafka's short stories. With the exception of three novels (''
The Trial ''The Trial'' (german: Der Process, link=no, previously , and ) is a novel written by Franz Kafka in 1914 and 1915 and published posthumously on 26 April 1925. One of his best known works, it tells the story of Josef K., a man arrested and p ...
'', '' The Castle'' and '' Amerika''), this collection includes all of his narrative work. The book was originally edited by Nahum N. Glatzer and published by
Schocken Books Schocken Books is a book publishing imprint of Penguin Random House that specializes in Jewish literary works. Originally established in 1931 by Salman Schocken as Schocken Verlag in Berlin, the company later moved to Palestine and then the Uni ...
in 1971. It was reprinted in 1995 with an introduction by John Updike. The collection includes all the works published during Kafka's lifetime, with the exception of '' The Stoker'' which is usually incorporated as the first chapter of his unfinished novel ''Amerika''. Some of the stories included in the book are fragmented or in various states of incompletion. Most of the stories are translated by
Willa Willa is a feminine given name. Notable people and characters with the name include: * Willa or Guilla of Provence (died before 924), early medieval Frankish queen * Willa of Tuscany (died 970), queen consort of Berengar II of Italy * Willa Brow ...
and
Edwin Muir Edwin Muir CBE (15 May 1887 – 3 January 1959) was a Scottish poet, novelist and translator. Born on a farm in Deerness, a parish of Orkney, Scotland, he is remembered for his deeply felt and vivid poetry written in plain language and w ...
, with occasional translations by Tania and James Stern. Several fables, parables and philosophical pieces are not included in this collection, as they were never meant to be independent stories or never intended for publication. These can be found in Kafka's
diaries Diaries may refer to: * the plural of diary *''Diaries: 1971-1976'', a 1981 documentary by Ed Pincus *'' Diaries 1969–1979: The Python Years'', a 2006 book by Michael Palin *''OFW Diaries ''OFW Diaries'' is a Philippine television documentary ...
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and
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.


Contents

Foreword by John Updike (1995 edition only)


Two Introductory Parables

* "
Before the Law "Before the Law" (German: "Vor dem Gesetz") is a parable contained in the novel ''The Trial'' (german: Der Prozess), by Franz Kafka. "Before the Law" was published twice in Kafka's lifetime, first in the 1915 New Year's edition of the independent J ...
" from the ninth chapter of the novel ''The Trial'' * " An Imperial Message" from the short story "The Great Wall of China"


The Longer Stories

* ''
Description of a Struggle "Description of a Struggle" (german: "Beschreibung eines Kampfes") is a short story by Franz Kafka. It contains the dialogues "Conversation with the Supplicant" ("Gespräch mit dem Beter") and "Conversation with the Drunk" ("Gespräch mit dem Bet ...
'' * '' Wedding Preparations in the Country'' * ''
The Judgment ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
'' * ''
The Metamorphosis ''Metamorphosis'' (german: Die Verwandlung) is a novella written by Franz Kafka which was first published in 1915. One of Kafka's best-known works, ''Metamorphosis'' tells the story of salesman Gregor Samsa, who wakes one morning to find himsel ...
'' * ''
In the Penal Colony "In the Penal Colony" ("") (also translated as "In the Penal Settlement") is a short story by Franz Kafka written in German in October 1914, revised in November 1918, and first published in October 1919. As in some of Kafka's other writings, th ...
'' * '' The Village Schoolmaster (The Giant Mole)'' * '' Blumfeld, an Elderly Bachelor'' * '' The Warden of the Tomb'' * '' A Country Doctor'' * ''
The Hunter Gracchus "The Hunter Gracchus" (German: "Der Jäger Gracchus") is a short story by Franz Kafka. The story presents a boat carrying the long-dead Hunter Gracchus as it arrives at a port. The mayor of Riva meets Gracchus, who gives him an account of his death ...
'' + fragment * '' The Great Wall of China'' + fragment * ''
A Report to an Academy "A Report to an Academy" (German: "Ein Bericht für eine Akademie") is a short story by Franz Kafka, written and published in 1917. In the story, an ape named Red Peter, who has learned to behave like a human, presents to an academy the story of ho ...
'' + two fragments * '' The Refusal'' * '' A Hunger Artist'' * '' Investigations of a Dog'' * '' A Little Woman'' * '' The Burrow'' * '' Josephine the Singer, or The Mouse Folk''


The Shorter Stories

* '' Children on a Country Road'' * '' The Trees'' * '' Clothes'' * '' Excursion into the Mountains'' * '' The Rejection'' * '' The Street Window'' * '' The Tradesman'' * '' Absent-minded Window-gazing'' * '' The Way Home'' * '' Passers-by'' * '' On the Tram'' * '' Reflections for Gentlemen-Jockeys'' * '' The Wish to be a Red Indian'' * ''
Unhappiness Sadness is an emotional pain associated with, or characterized by, feelings of disadvantage, loss, despair, grief, helplessness, disappointment and sorrow. An individual experiencing sadness may become quiet or lethargic, and withdraw them ...
'' * '' Bachelor's Ill Luck'' * '' Unmasking a Confidence Trickster'' * '' The Sudden Walk'' * '' Resolutions'' * '' A Dream'' * '' Up in the Gallery'' * ''
A Fratricide "A Fratricide" (German: Ein Brudermord) is a short story by Franz Kafka written between December 1916 and January 1917. It is one of Kafka's most realistically descriptive and graphically violent stories, and tells the story of a murderer, Schmar ...
'' * '' The Next Village'' * '' A Visit to a Mine'' * '' Jackals and Arabs'' * '' The Bridge'' * ''
The Bucket Rider "The Bucket Rider" (German: "Der Kübelreiter") is a short story by Franz Kafka, written in 1917. It first appeared in the ''Prager Presse'' in 1921 and was published posthumously in ''Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer'' (Berlin, 1931). The first Eng ...
'' * ''
The New Advocate "The New Advocate" (German: "Der neue Advokat") is a short story from A Country Doctor by Franz Kafka Franz Kafka (3 July 1883 – 3 June 1924) was a German-speaking Bohemian novelist and short-story writer, widely regarded as one of the ...
'' * ''
An Old Manuscript "An Old Manuscript" ( German: "Ein altes Blatt"), alternatively translated as "An Old Leaf", is a short story by Franz Kafka Franz Kafka (3 July 1883 – 3 June 1924) was a German-speaking Bohemian novelist and short-story writer, widel ...
'' * '' The Knock at the Manor Gate'' * ''
Eleven Sons "Eleven Sons" (German: "Elf Söhne") is a short story by Franz Kafka. The story begins with a father's declaration: "I have eleven sons." He then goes on to describe each one of them in detail. Kafka told Max Brod: "The eleven sons are quite simpl ...
'' *''
My Neighbor "My Neighbor" ("", literally "The Neighbor") is a short story by Franz Kafka. It was written in 1917 and published in 1931 in Berlin by Max Brod and Hans-Joachim Schoeps. The first English translation by Willa and Edwin Muir was published by Mart ...
'' *'' A Crossbreed'' *''
The Cares of a Family Man "The Cares of a Family Man" (German: "Die Sorge des Hausvaters") is a short story by Franz Kafka, originally written in German, between 1914 and 1917 about a creature called Odradek. The creature has drawn the attention of many philosophers and ...
'' *''
A Common Confusion "A Common Confusion" (German: "Eine alltägliche Verwirrung") is a short story by Franz Kafka. It was published posthumously in '' Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer'' (Berlin, 1931). The first English translation by Willa and Edwin Muir was publishe ...
'' *''
The Truth about Sancho Panza "The Truth about Sancho Panza" (German: "Die Wahrheit über Sancho Pansa") is a short story by Franz Kafka. It was published in 1931, seven years after the death of Kafka. Max Brod selected stories and published them in the collection ''Beim Bau ...
'' *''
The Silence of the Sirens "The Silence of the Sirens" (German: "Das Schweigen der Sirenen") is a short story by Franz Kafka. It was not published until 1931, seven years after his death. Max Brod selected stories and published them in the collection '' Beim Bau der Chinesis ...
'' *''
Prometheus In Greek mythology, Prometheus (; , , possibly meaning " forethought")Smith"Prometheus". is a Titan god of fire. Prometheus is best known for defying the gods by stealing fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technology, kn ...
'' *''
The City Coat of Arms "The City Coat of Arms" (German: "Das Stadtwappen") is a short story by Franz Kafka. It was published posthumously in ''Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer'' (Berlin, 1931). The first English translation by Willa and Edwin Muir was published by Martin ...
'' *''
Poseidon Poseidon (; grc-gre, Ποσειδῶν) was one of the Twelve Olympians in ancient Greek religion and myth, god of the sea, storms, earthquakes and horses.Burkert 1985pp. 136–139 In pre-Olympian Bronze Age Greece, he was venerated as a ...
'' *''
Fellowship A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...
'' *'' At Night'' *''
The Problem of Our Laws "The Problem of Our Laws" (German: "Zur Frage der Gesetze") is a short parable by Franz Kafka was published posthumously in ''Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer'' (Berlin, 1931). The first English translation by Willa and Edwin Muir was published by ...
'' *''
The Conscription of Troops "The Conscription of Troops" (german: "Die Truppenaushebung", links=no) is a short story by Franz Kafka. It details the process of organizing troops for combat. First, every citizen reports to their homes, then the chief inspects each residence to ...
'' *'' The Test'' *'' The Vulture'' *'' The Helmsman'' *'' The Top'' *'' A Little Fable'' *'' Home-Coming'' *'' First Sorrow'' *''
The Departure The Departure was an English rock band from Northampton, formed in October 2003. Their debut album, '' Dirty Words'', was released 13 June 2005 by Parlophone. A second album, ''Inventions'', was expected to be released in early 2008, but was no ...
'' *''
Advocates An advocate is a professional in the field of law. Different countries' legal systems use the term with somewhat differing meanings. The broad equivalent in many English law–based jurisdictions could be a barrister or a solicitor. However, ...
'' *''
The Married Couple "The Married Couple" (German: "Das Ehepaar") is a 1922 short story by Franz Kafka. It was published posthumously in ''Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer'' (Berlin, 1931). The first English translation by Willa and Edwin Muir was published by Martin S ...
'' *'' Give it Up!'' *''
On Parables "On Parables" (German: "Von den Gleichnissen") is a short story fragment by Franz Kafka. It was not published until 1931, seven years after his death. Max Brod selected stories and published them in the collection ''Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer' ...
''


Postscript

By Nahum N. Glatzer


Bibliography

* Kafka's stories and collections of stories published during his lifetime * Kafka's works published after his death * Collected works in German * Schocken editions of Kafka's works in English * Other editions of Kafka's works in English * Supplement


Editors and Translators


On the material included in this volume

Notes on the writing and publication history of the stories and fragments.


Chronology

Chronology of Kafka's life and writing.


Selected writings on Kafka

A list of critical and biographical essays on Kafka.


Notes

* The first eighteen of "The Shorter Stories" are usually grouped under the title ''
Contemplation In a religious context, the practice of contemplation seeks a direct awareness of the divine which transcends the intellect, often in accordance with prayer or meditation. Etymology The word ''contemplation'' is derived from the Latin word ' ...
'' (''Betrachtung''), or ''Meditation'' .


Editions

* Kafka, Franz (ed. Nahum N. Glatzer). ''The Complete Stories.'' New York: Schocken Books, 1971 (Hardcover) , 1988 (Paperback) * Kafka, Franz (ed. Nahum N. Glatzer). ''The Complete Stories.'' New York: Schocken Books, 1995. With a foreword by John Updike (Paperback) {{DEFAULTSORT:Complete Stories of Franz Kafka, The Short story collections by Franz Kafka Translations into English Kafka, Franz Schocken Books books