Again courtesy The New York Review of Books, in the same issue as below, intriguing thoughts on Franz Kafka, the man: Zadie Smith, F. Kafka, Everyman
How to describe Kafka, the man? Like this, perhaps:
It is as if he had spent his entire life wondering what he looked like, without ever discovering there are such things as mirrors.
A naked man among a multitude who are dressed.
A mind living in sin with the soul of Abraham.
Franz was a saint.
Or then again, using details of his life, as found in Louis Begley's refreshingly factual The Tremendous World I Have Inside My Head: Franz Kafka: A Biographical Essay: over six feet tall, handsome, elegantly dressed; an unexceptional student, a strong swimmer, an aerobics enthusiast, a vegetarian; a frequent visitor to movie houses, cabarets, all-night cafes, literary soirees and brothels; the published author of seven books during his brief lifetime; engaged three times (twice to the same woman); valued by his employers, promoted at work. read all
The Tremendous World I Have Inside My Head: Franz Kafka: A Biographical Essay by Loius Begley, 208 pages, Atlas & Co. (June 24, 2008)
A note: When we visited Prague a few years ago, we stayed at the Hotel Mercure, a recently converted early 2oth century office building which had housed the insurance company at which Kafka worked. They claimed they knew in which room his office had been, and it was decorated with Kafka memorabilia. It was right across from my room, but unfortunately, I had no chance to take a peek. I wonder whether they charged extra for that room …
