Tag Archives: Franz Kafka

“what I said was that writing makes everything clearer and worse.”

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“Not His Best” by Joy Williams from 99 Stories of God Franz Kafka once called his writing a form of prayer. He also reprimanded the long-suffering Felice Bauer in a letter: “I did not say that writing ought to make everything … Continue reading →

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Just a postcard from Kafka

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled on this postcard from the German National Library that is dated 1918 from Franz Kafka to his publisher Kurt Wolff. Personally, I never sent postcards to my publisher, but then again he was a terrible person. And … Continue reading →

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Before the Law stands a doorkeeper

Posted on December 30, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Before the Law stands a doorkeeper. To this doorkeeper there comes a man from the country and prays for admittance to the Law. But the doorkeeper says that he cannot grant admittance at the moment. The man thinks it over … Continue reading →

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It’s only in my dreams that I am so sinister

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

(Friday, June 11, 1920) It’s only in my dreams that I am so sinister. Recently I had another dream about you, it was a big dream, but I hardly remember a thing. I was in Vienna, I don’t recall anything … Continue reading →

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How Kafkaesque

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

 

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monday, monday can’t trust that day

Posted on May 18, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Clarice Lispector Franz Kafka From the Bodleian Library souvenir shop…  

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Another Metamorphosis

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I am embarrassed to admit that I had never heard of Argentine artist and book illustrator Luis Scafati until recently. His take on Franz Kafka’s classic The Metamorphosis is creepy, but spot on. I have since discovered that Scafati has illustrated many … Continue reading →

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Don’t Bend

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Are You Ready For Insta Novels

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Yesterday the New York Public Library launched a brilliant new way to enjoy classic literature. Insta Novels brings short stories, novellas, and even novels to readers in a new digital format. All readers need to do is follow @nypl on Instagram to … Continue reading →

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When You Walk Through A Storm

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

“And you really will have to make it through that violent, metaphysical, symbolic storm. No matter how metaphysical or symbolic it might be, make no mistake about it: it will cut through flesh like a thousand razor blades. People will … Continue reading →

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