Today in History (1925): The Trial published

First posted 11/11/2025.

The Trial Franz Kafka

First Publication: April 26, 1925 Category: philosophical fiction Sales: ?

Accolades (click on badges to see full lists):

About the Book: The Trial was written in 1914 but wasn’t published until 1925, after Franz Kafka’s death. The short novel “exemplifies the term ‘Kafkaesque.’” AZ “Whether read as an existential tale, a parable, or a prophecy of the excesses of modern bureaucracy wedded to the madness of totalitarianism, Kafka’s nightmare has resonated with chilling truth for generations of readers.” BN It “captures the confusion and distress of suffering persecution by an unseen, unknown and irresistible force. Blending reality and absurdity, violence and hope, this story has endured for a century for good reason.” BN It raises “provocative, ever-relevant issues related to the role of government and the nature of justice.” AZ It is both an “engrossing” AZ and “terrifying tale” BN “about the human condition plunges an isolated individual into an impersonal, illogical system.” AZ Josef K. is “a respectable bank officer who is suddenly and inexplicably arrested.” BN He endures “a maze of nonsensical rules and bureaucratic roadblocks” AZ in his effort to defend himself of an undisclosed charge on which he can get no information. Resources and Related Links: AZ Amazon BN Barnes & Noble