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Fiction and the Fantastic: Stories by Franz Kafka
May 4, 2025
Adam Thirlwell, a novelist and literature advocate, joins to discuss Franz Kafka's unique blend of the fantastical and the ordinary. They explore how Kafka challenges traditional narrative forms while drawing from proverbs and fables. The conversation touches on his upbringing in Prague and its influence on his work, as well as the comedic aspects of his bureaucratic experiences. Thirlwell also delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding Kafka's posthumous publications and the impact of his friend Max Brod on his legacy.
16:06
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Quick takeaways
- Franz Kafka's unique integration of the fantastic into realist narratives expands the literary imagination and shapes modern literature's identity.
- The episode explores how Kafka's use of simple storytelling forms, like proverbs and fables, pushes conventional boundaries in literature.
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