“So, it wasn’t a nightmare that had come to settle on his chest in the night. No, it was the reality he awoke to in the morning.”
Mohammed Said Hjiouij, Kafka in Tangier
Title: Kafka in Tangier
Author: Mohammed Said Hjiouij
Genres: Literary, Fantasy, Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 82 (Kindle)
Published: December 31st, 2019
My Rating: ★★★¾
Read: 3/3/2023 – 3/4/2023
Review:
This was such an interesting read for me. It was unlike anything else I’ve read and a glimpse at a different culture than my own.
A retelling/reinterpretation of The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, the book follows Jawad as he wakes and discovers he’s transformed into a monster. This transformation forces him to take a critical look at his life from a personal and social standpoint.
I’ve never read any of Franz Kafka’s works so I can’t offer any sort of comparison. I found Kafka in Tangier quite interesting, though I was moderately confused throughout it. It was a new concept for me, but given the book is under 100 pages, it wasn’t intimidating to pick up. It was educational for me in a lot of ways. As a story, it didn’t wind up being my thing in particular, but I’m glad to have given it a go.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital copy of the book to read and review!
Likes & Dislikes:
What I liked:
- Again, while I have no comparison, I think the concept is quite fascinating.
- The family issues that are discussed.
- Engaging writing.
What I didn’t like:
- I found it difficult to follow.
- Perhaps this isn’t an issue when you’ve read The Metamorphosis, but it felt vague at the start.
Afterthoughts:
I love getting to read books from authors from all around the world, so this was a particular treat. Thanks again to the author for reaching out!