Metamorphosis Audiobook By Franz Kafka cover art

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 Literary Fiction Emotionally Gripping Mind-Bending
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What listeners say about Metamorphosis

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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Performance, quick listen, interesting

Basically, it's all just variations on a theme; spoiler alert (100+ years after publication, not much to spoil), the main character wakes up as an insect. The rest is just a rumination on that condition. But, it's a great reading by Cumberbatch. And it's under two hours, so an easy way to hear a 20th century classic.

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1 person found this helpful

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Very Sad

Emotional story of humanity and much more. With a narrator like this you want it to go on forever just to hear his voice. Beautiful job.

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23 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Classic.

I personally identify with many of Kafka's characters, especially with Gregor in "The Metamorphosis." Kafka's writings will make you think deeply about sacrifices made in vain.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great narration

I could listen to Benedict Cumberbatch any day! This story was quite odd and I actually expected a different ending! But I encourage you to listen to the whole thing!

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Strange Story

This performance was quite good, and the story was weird but written well enough. However, it seemed to be a different version of the story than the book I wanted to follow along with. There were lots of changed lines and dialogue in comparison to the Wisehouse Classics physical release of the story. I needed this specific printed version for a class and hoped this audiobook would help me keep attention. It's hard to follow along. The story is the same, though.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Story of a man turned bug

Not a big fan of bug so when I started listening during a lunch break I had to quit. Cumberbatch does a great job!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Brilliantly performed, confusingly written

Cumberbatch does a phenomenal job reading this story. Although I may never quite understand the stories intent.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

classics are classic for a reason

I found the characters moving and relatable. the ending left quite an impression and the journey there was both entertaining nd moving. the setting of the story was simple and an excellent back drop for something so unusual.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

And I think I just might make it to work on time, despite the imposition of being a giant bug.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Need More Cumberbatch!

Benedict Cumberbatch’s reading performance is unparalleled, no one could have been better for this book.

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