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Cover of The Metamorphosis by Franz KafkaThe Metamorphosis
Classic · Fiction, Classics, Philosophy

The Metamorphosis

by Franz Kafka
1915 · 96 pages · Fiction
62.4Must-Read
Score Classic
Lifetime bestseller
≈ 2 hours to read · about 4 days at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

Traveling salesman Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to discover that he has turned into a giant insect. Franz Kafka's story is a deeply human tale of alienation, family obligation and what happens when someone is no longer 'useful'.

Why it's worth reading

It has one of the most famous openings in literature and is a cornerstone of modern fiction.

You'll love it if you liked

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Good to know

It's a novella and can be read in an hour or two.

By the numbers

62.4Must-Read Score
  • Readers38 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller38 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Reads as

Thought-provoking

How we rank

Already read it? Upload your Goodreads or StoryGraph history and get the 50 best books you haven't read, tuned to your taste.Get my 50

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Explore the best-of lists

All 36 best-of lists →
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Quick answers

Is The Metamorphosis worth reading?

Yes. It has one of the most famous openings in literature and is a cornerstone of modern fiction. It ranks #2,152 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 62.4 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is The Metamorphosis about?

Traveling salesman Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to discover that he has turned into a giant insect. Franz Kafka's story is a deeply human tale of alienation, family obligation and what happens when someone is no longer 'useful'.

How long does it take to read The Metamorphosis?

About 2 hours (96 pages), or about 4 days at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after The Metamorphosis?

If you liked it, try The Trial by Franz Kafka, The Castle by Franz Kafka or Notes From Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky.