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Metamorphosis

A BBC Radio 4 Reading

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Metamorphosis

By: Franz Kafka
Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch
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About this listen

Benedict Cumberbatch reads Franz Kafka's famous story of man-turned-insect, Metamorphosis.

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile

After a night of troubled dreams, Gregor Samsa wakes to discover that he has turned into a huge, monstrous, cockroach-like creature, with an armour-plated back and multiple limbs.

Gradually, he comes to terms with his new state - but his parents and sister are horrified and increasingly revolted. To them, Gregor is unclean, verminous and entirely repellent, and as he becomes more and more of a burden, their horror turns to a terrible indifference....

First published in 1915, Kafka's surreal existential novella explores concepts such as the absurdity of life, alienation and the disconnect between mind and body. Read by Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Star Trek, The Imitation Game), this tale - often described as one of the greatest in the history of fiction - is chilling, captivating and darkly comic.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Mind-bending Funny

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All stars
Most relevant  
Chapter 1 was great. After that the initial shock of the plot is gone and it just, keeps going. The premise is great and what makes this a classic, but after chapter 1, it's all just....fine.

Starts strong, then not much else

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I have to listen to this a few times in order to apply the meaning to myself. Our outcomes can be extremely different to our intentions. One state is able to become sublimated and unintentional.

Unavoidable change

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Fantastic story, performed brilliantly. I can see myself listening to this over and over. The only downside is the awful 80s plinky-plonk horror movie soundtrack - why did they do that?!

Great book, horrible soundtrack

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Kafka’s work, excellently narrated by Cumberbatch, was unlike anything I have ever read before. It is a simple story but one which raises many questions about life, suffering and being vulnerable. The context of Kafka’s life can also be seen in numerous places throughout the novella. Overall, I really enjoyed it and it has given me much to think about. 4*

Interesting and thought-provoking story

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Enough said in the title,
I love this book, but it’s a whole different type of wonderful when it’s being read by Benedict Cumberbatch.

Metamorphosis read by Cumberbatch..

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In my humble opinion everyone had to read or to listen to it... I had finished the book yesterday evening and this morning I still feel haunted by it. It's a fairy tale of being different, of not belonging, of being excluded... The thing we humans fear the most.

Brilliant classic, the MUST

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BC reads and characterises the protagonists extremely well and creates a highly believable ad immersive setting for one of my favourite books.

A fantastic listen

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BC reads the story in a way that makes it easily deciphered and able to follow, a problem I had when reading the book solo.

Franz by Benedict Cumberbatch

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For such a short story, Metamorphosis packs a powerful emotional punch, which is made all the greater by Benedict Cumberbatch's beautiful narration. He draws every ounce of feeling from the words, without ever crossing the line into melodrama.

Beautifully read, strange and sad

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An emotional yet balanced reading of this disturbing novel: disturbing as it is so strange and more so due to the dispassionate final reaction to "the main event". excellent.

Beautifully read

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