Amerika

In Amerika, Kafka introduces readers to young Karl Rossman, a boy exiled to America after a scandal upends his life in Europe. Armed with unyielding optimism, Karl steps into a vast and bewildering land, embracing the unusual encounters and surreal experiences that shape his journey deeper into the heart of the continent.

Although Kafka’s first novel—begun in 1911 and left unfinished—Amerika offers a departure from his typically dark themes, balancing a sense of menace with a surprising lightness and curiosity. This lyrical translation, based on Kafka’s original manuscript, captures both the wonder and absurdity of Karl’s exploration, resonating as both an adventure and a powerful allegory of modern existence.