The text of this novella is taken from the public domain. Based on research
and my interpretation of the story, I wrote an introduction, biography, and colophon
as well as a running commentary next to Kafka’s text. The photography,
excluding pages 9 and 39, is mine. Typography and photography change throughout
the book to reflect what is going on in the Samsa household as well as what Gregor
is seeing, hearing, and feeling. The book was designed with my interpretation of
Gregor’s (Kafka’s) perspective in mind.
The typefaces used are Archer and Gotham.
It was printed by Blurb on their Proline paper, hardcover with dust jacket.
Dimensions are 10 x 8 inches, 97 pages.
When I began my exploration of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, I was struck by
the author’s sense of isolation and his feeling of failure—as a Jew, as a son, as a sickly
child and as a human being. Constantly being put down by his father, Franz perceived
himself as less than human. His story of Gregor is more autobiographical than fiction.
Though straightforward and easy to read, the work is profoundly deep and multi-layered.
The images in this book are my attempt to reflect this depth and were inspired by
Gregor’s perspective of reality. They were created from photographs I took, mostly of nature.
the author’s sense of isolation and his feeling of failure—as a Jew, as a son, as a sickly
child and as a human being. Constantly being put down by his father, Franz perceived
himself as less than human. His story of Gregor is more autobiographical than fiction.
Though straightforward and easy to read, the work is profoundly deep and multi-layered.
The images in this book are my attempt to reflect this depth and were inspired by
Gregor’s perspective of reality. They were created from photographs I took, mostly of nature.
As my camera recorded nature and projected an interpretation of Kafka’s suffering, I came
to realize how much his work and thoughts reflect my personal journey.
