In 1917 and 1918, Franz Kafka wrote a set of more than 100 aphorisms, known as the Z眉rau aphorisms, after the Bohemian village in which he composed them. Among the most mysterious of Kafka鈥檚 writings, they explore philosophical questions about truth, good and evil, and the spiritual and sensory world. This is the first annotated, bilingual volume of these extraordinary writings, which provide great insight into Kafka鈥檚 mind. Edited, introduced, and with commentaries by preeminent Kafka biographer and authority Reiner Stach, and freshly translated by Shelley Frisch, this beautiful volume presents each aphorism on its own page in English and the original German, with accessible and enlightening notes on facing pages.
The most complex of Kafka鈥檚 writings, the aphorisms merge literary and analytical thinking and are radical in their ideas, original in their images and metaphors, and exceptionally condensed in their language. Offering up Kafka鈥檚 characteristically unsettling charms, the aphorisms at times put readers in unfamiliar, even inhospitable territory, which can then turn luminous: 鈥淚 have never been in this place before: breathing works differently, and a star shines next to the sun, more dazzlingly still.鈥�
Above all, this volume reveals that these multifaceted gems aren鈥檛 far removed from Kafka鈥檚 novels and stories but are instead situated squarely within his cosmos鈥攁rguably at its very core. Long neglected by Kafka readers and scholars, his aphorisms have finally been given their full due here.
"Kafka鈥檚 mistrust of self-scrutiny, and his equal need for it, are nowhere more dazzlingly displayed than in this jewel of twentieth-century literature."鈥擝en Hutchinson, Times Literary Supplement
"[Stach鈥檚] commanding knowledge of Kafka鈥檚 life and work richly informs his interpretations of these hitherto generally neglected masterpieces of concentrated thought and quasi-mystical insight. Stach provides invaluable guidance along this shadowy path. The aphorisms are as enigmatic as they are beautiful. . . . Indeed, it could be argued that, for all their brevity and compression, in the aphorisms we find the essential Kafka."鈥擩ohn Banville, Irish Times
"Taut translations. . . . Indispensable commentary."鈥擬ax Norman, Wall Street Journal
"In this newly annotated edition, Reiner Stach鈥攚ho knows more about Kafka鈥檚 life than anyone else alive鈥攑rovides data-rich, facing-page commentary for each gnomic observation. He is assisted, as usual, by his nonpareil translator, Shelley Frisch. . . . His commentary eschews definitive interpretations but leaves the reader better able to ponder [Kafka's] tantalizing pronouncements."鈥擬ichael Dirda, Washington Post
"An astute and subtle commentary. . . . The intellectual risks of commenting on the comments of Kafka are enormous, but Stach takes them in his stride, and Shelley Frisch鈥檚 English version keeps pace admirably."鈥擬ichael Wood, London Review of Books
"If you have a serious interest in Kafka鈥檚 life and writings, The Aphorisms of Franz Kafka is a necessary port of call. It gives you all the information necessary to approach and understand what is certainly Kafka鈥檚 most personal testimony."鈥擯aul Kane, Jildy Sauce
"Stach鈥檚 introduction and commentaries and a fresh new translation . . . make you feel at home. In addition to excerpts from Kafka鈥檚 crossed-out or amended first drafts, there are quotations from the diaries and letters that are often equal if not superior to the aphorisms themselves."鈥擲tuart Mitchner, Town Topics
"If you fancy giving yourself food for thought, then The Aphorisms are ideal."鈥擜lexander Adams, Brazen Head
"Stach’s analysis, aided by Frisch’s lucid translation, is substantial and useful, and it consistently provides food for further thought for the reader who ruminates on Kafka’s brief and oracular pronouncements. In short, The Aphorisms of Franz Kafka is an indispensable aid for navigating Kafka’s often disorienting but rewarding verbal sallies. . . . An achievement of the first order by two scholars whose knowledge of their subject can only be called intimidating, and it should be received with gratitude. Its place as an essential volume for the study of Kafka in the Anglophone world is already secure."鈥擡.J. Hutchinson, New Criterion
"For anyone who loves Kafka’s fiction, this wonderful edition of aphorisms offers a unique insight into his mind at a crucial point in his life. Though often enigmatic and obscure, the commentaries open them up brilliantly, suggesting possible interpretations."鈥擯D Smith, The Guardian
鈥淭he uncannily expert handling of Reiner Stach and Shelley Frisch here opens up another dimension of the thinking of Franz Kafka. These aphorisms proceed in a way that feels at once unexpected and profound. An essential and marvelous book.鈥濃�擱ivka Galchen, author of Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch: A Novel
鈥淚n Shelley Frisch鈥檚 inspired translation and Reiner Stach鈥檚 lucid decipherment, Kafka鈥檚 crystalline aphorisms鈥攈is most beautifully faceted and intricately intimate creations鈥攔eveal themselves anew.鈥濃�擝enjamin Balint, author of Kafka鈥檚 Last Trial
鈥淭hese aphorisms are the jewel of Kafka鈥檚 work. Superbly translated by Shelley Frisch, they shine even more brightly in the illuminating commentary of Reiner Stach, Kafka鈥檚 eminent biographer.鈥濃�擲tanley Corngold, author of The Mind in Exile: Thomas Mann in Princeton
鈥�The Aphorisms of Franz Kafka is a vital book for anyone who wants to gain a richer understanding of the enigmatic Z眉rau aphorisms, and a welcome addition to Kafka鈥檚 writings available in English. Stach鈥檚 engaging commentary is highly instructive and Frisch鈥檚 translation clear and elegant.鈥濃�擟arolin Duttlinger, author of The Cambridge Introduction to Franz Kafka
