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Metamorphosis  By  cover art

Metamorphosis

By: Franz Kafka
Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch
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Publisher's summary

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

What listeners say about Metamorphosis

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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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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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

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

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

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

  • Overall
    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

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

Bumble bee cucumber

Benedictine cupboard I I I I I I I beans rice water paprika salt pepper

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

good read

short book but very deep. i enjoyed listening to it. it has a rich story and a very nice meaning behind it.

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

It's a Bug's Life!

I'm a huge fan of Kafka's the Metamorphosis, and this version with cumberbatch's passionate reading really does it justice. This is most likely my favorite 'celebrity' Audible release.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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great book

It's a classic novella! The narrator had done really nice work reading it! loved it

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

Super dark

I will more than likely have to listen to this one several times. It's pretty deep but also morbid.

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

Not sure why this is a classic but... nicely done

I've heard enough about this book that I thought I should read it. it's weird, and sad. The performance is excellent. I'll need to read more about the book to get it though

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