Books Like...
If you liked The Trial, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
An unforgettable, unsettling classic that uses the surreal to shine a harsh light on human nature. Short, strange, and enormously influential - read it to experience the original meaning of "Kafkaesque."
WHEN GREGOR SAMSA WOKE ONE MORNING from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed right there in his bed into some sort of monstrous insect. He was lying on his back—which was hard, like a carapac... - #2
A meaningful, multi-layered read - bleak but ultimately hopeful - for anyone interested in human nature, philosophy, or how we face adversity together. Not an action-packed thriller, but a true classic worth your time.
The unusual events described in this chronicle occurred in 194- at Oran. Everyone agreed that, considering their somewhat extraordinary character, they were out of place there. For its ordinariness is... - #3
A warm, intimate, and essential account of Kafka by his closest friend - just remember to read it with a pinch of skepticism and enjoy the personal insights it offers.
- #4
A philosophical deep-dive into alienation and the search for meaning - brilliant and thought-provoking for some, slow and gloomy for others. Read if you want to challenge your mind; skip if you crave action or lightheartedness.
I think I’m the one who has changed: that’s the simplest solution. Also the most unpleasant. But I must finally realize that I am subject to these sudden transformations. The thing is that I rarely th... - #5
A slender yet powerful novel about the absurdity of life and the search for meaning, best suited to readers who appreciate philosophical musings and moral ambiguity. Not for those who need all the answers or a warm, fuzzy ending.
The old people’s home is at Marengo, about eighty kilometers from Algiers, I’ll take the two o’clock bus and get there in the afternoon. That way I can be there for the vigil and come back tomorrow ni... - #6
Confusing, clever, and deeply haunting, "The Castle" is a challenging but unforgettable classic. Readers who revel in absurdity and existential intrigue will love it, while others may get lost in its endless red tape. Approach with patience and curiosity!
IT was late evening when K. arrived. The village lay deep in snow. There was nothing to be seen of Castle Mount, for mist and darkness surrounded it, and not the faintest glimmer of light showed where... - #7
A short, intense, and thought-provoking classic that delivers an unforgettable (if sometimes uncomfortable) dive into self-doubt, spite, and the reasons we act against our own interests. Difficult but rewarding - perfect for those who want their fiction to pull no punches.
I am a sick person . . . A spiteful one. An unattractive person, too. I think my liver is diseased. But I don’t give a damn about my disease and in fact I don’t even know what’s wrong with me. I do no... - #8
A mind-bending, introspective classic that's best appreciated by those ready to wrestle with life's big questions. Not an easy read, but unforgettable for the right reader.
THE DAY HAD GONE BY JUST AS DAYS GO BY. I had killed it in accordance with my primitive and retiring way of life. I had worked for an hour or two and perused the pages of old books. I had had pains fo... A beautifully written, challenging meditation on existence that’s perfect for deep thinkers - less about providing answers and more about bravely facing life's absurdities. Not a light read, but unforgettable if you’re up for the journey.
My field,” said Goethe, “is time.” That is indeed the absurd speech. What, in fact, is the absurd man? He who, without negating it, does nothing for the eternal. Not that nostalgia is foreign to him....- #10
A dark, thought-provoking classic that takes you deep into the human soul. Unmissable for those who love literary depth and philosophical suspense - just be ready for some moody Russian intensity!
He had successfully avoided meeting his landlady on the stairs. His closet of a room was under the roof of a high, five-floor house and was more like a cupboard than a place in which to live. The land...