Sunday, September 15, 2013

The Metamorphosis


Hello readers of the Graphicnovelologist. I'm sorry that I've been away for so long. I was out of town all summer. I went camping for 3 1/2 weeks, then I went to Cape Cod for another 3 1/2 weeks. When I got back I just needed to rest for a while. Now without out further ado, enjoy my next review.

This time i'm reviewing a graphic novel of a famous story called the Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. It was adapted by Peter Kuper. If you haven't heard of it, I will give you a brief summery. A traveling salesman wakes up in his bed to find that he has transformed into a giant cockroach. His family tries to take care of him and keep him hidden, but in the end the cockroach dies from starvation.

I love all the the characters in this book. The cockroach's father is very intimidating, his mother is very kind hearted, but frail, and his sister is just very very likable. I also like the side characters, like the three rude house guests and the old teasing cleaning lady.

I really like the art in this book. The scratchy woodcut style, which I enjoy very much, perfectly fits a story about people who are desperate and poor. I also like how Peter Kuper made the eyes so surreal.

The Metamorphosis has been made into another graphic novel by R. Crumb, a dance and a DLC for a video game called Spore.

The Metamorphosis is appropriate for all audiences and is a wonderfully tragic tale. The old dimly lit house makes for a deliciously dark mood. It is now one of my favorite urban legends. I would give the Metamorphosis 5 giant cockroach out of 5. If you know where to find it, check it out.

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13 comments:

  1. pengoSeptember 16, 2013 at 7:14 AM

    Peter Kuper! Love his work, thank you for this excellent recommendation.

    You have reminded me of a satirical piece I read in Art Spiegelman's "Raw" magazine in the late 1980s, crossing Kafka's work with that of Charles Schulz. This blog post features the first few strips:

    http://culturepopped.blogspot.com/2010/02/good-ol-gregor-brown.html

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  2. DelaineSeptember 16, 2013 at 7:30 AM

    I'd love to read this book as a graphic novel... thanks for the review! His style is wonderful.

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  3. drewkrisSeptember 16, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    Remember to include spoiler alerts (the cockroach dies of starvation!) This is a great review and made me want to run out and grab a copy of the book and read it immediately. Which isn't always the case with books about giant cockroaches. Thanks!

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  4. NickSeptember 16, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    Many thanks for this great review! If the three drawings presented are any indication, Peter Kuper does a truly exceptional job reflecting the darkness of Kafka's tale.
    [Many thanks also to Pengo for the great Gregor Brown link.]

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  5. sandyeSeptember 16, 2013 at 9:01 AM

    Made me think about that extra large silverfish scuttling in my kitchen this morning......

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  6. Believe The FaeSeptember 17, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Sounds like an interesting book! Very...interesting.

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  7. Chandra BrooksSeptember 17, 2013 at 7:54 AM

    Last night I went to a lecture on children's literature and one researcher mentioned that it's hard to get kids to open up and say what they think about characters in books. I'll have to give her your link so she has someone articulate to ask. And, I'm gonna read Metamorphosis again cause of you!

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  8. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2013 at 1:43 PM

    Thanks for the review, my least favorite creature in the universe, but loved your review and the artwork!

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  9. Constant ReaderSeptember 17, 2013 at 3:55 PM

    Great review, Milo! I've always meant to read this book. I think I might actually get around to doing so in the graphic novel format.

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  10. Jeff StillSeptember 17, 2013 at 7:37 PM

    Great review! I particularly liked the specific comment about the art - the "scratchy, woodcut style". Makes me want to read this book - but not want to be a cockroach!

    And great socks - I bet you have another pair just like them!

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  11. UnknownSeptember 18, 2013 at 9:16 AM

    First, fantastic review! Metamorphosis is one of the greatest, creepiest, surreal-iest tales ever told, and you captured the tone and characters of the tale as captured by these artists perfectly. I want to read these graphic novels now and, indeed, unless they were library books and no longer within the control of our family, I will read them. Second, you are blossoming into a fine writer and I am very proud of you. Is that a little foo-foo, to say "blossoming"? Like you're some flower or something? I don't care. You are blossoming, and you're also kicking ass, so I'd say you're blossoming, but like a venus flytrap would blossom. WELL DONE!

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  12. UnknownSeptember 19, 2013 at 9:55 AM

    I love Kafka, but reading him in translation makes my mind wander, and my German is pretty elementary, so I'll definitely check out this graphic novel version. Also, what your dad said.

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  13. Jeff McCarthyDecember 2, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    You sold me on this one. A Kafka graphic novel. How perfect. I'm going to find it. Keep up the great work, man!

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