La carta más famosa del siglo xx jamás llegó a su destinatario. Ni siquiera fue enviada. La escribió Franz Kafka de un tirón entre el 4 y el 20 de noviembre de 1919, y está dirigida a su padre, Hermann Kafka, comerciante judío en la ciudad de Praga. Escrita en un estilo que su propio autor calificó «de abogado», la carta es un memorial de las relaciones que había mantenido con su padre desde su nacimiento. Se trata de un documento literario y autobiográfico de excepcional valor, que sirve para entender los arcanos de la vida afectiva del escritor, su peculiar visión del mundo y el modo en que la plasmó en sus textos.
This splendid new translation presents an extraordinary work of modern literature, featuring facing-page commentary by Kafka's acclaimed biographer. Written in 1917 and 1918, the Zürau aphorisms consist of over 100 philosophical reflections composed in a Bohemian village. Among Kafka's most enigmatic writings, they delve into profound questions about truth, morality, and the spiritual and sensory realms. This bilingual volume is the first annotated edition, offering valuable insights into Kafka's mind. Edited and introduced by renowned biographer Reiner Stach, and translated by Shelley Frisch, each aphorism is displayed on its own page in both English and the original German, accompanied by enlightening notes. The aphorisms blend literary and analytical thought, showcasing radical ideas and original imagery, all conveyed in exceptionally condensed language. They evoke Kafka's unsettling charm, often leading readers into unfamiliar territory that can transform into moments of clarity: "I have never been in this place before: breathing works differently, and a star shines next to the sun, more dazzlingly still." Ultimately, this volume reveals that these multifaceted gems are deeply connected to Kafka's novels and stories, situated at the very heart of his literary cosmos. Long overlooked by readers and scholars, these aphorisms finally receive the attention they deserve.
