The Castle by Franz Kafka
The Castle by Franz Kafka, first English publication in 1930 translated by Edwin and Willa Muir. The title alone gives credit to the novel's Gothic credentials, although neither the reader, nor the protagonist, K, ever gain entry to the castle. Although unfinished, the novel is a masterpiece of petty bureaucracy, frustrations, a ludicrous class system, secrets, jealousies, futility and, of course, doomed love. K, a land surveyor arrives in the village beneath the castle, seemingly having been offered work by castle officials. He quickly discovers that the appointment was a mistake and there is no work for him. He is neither needed nor wanted. Having come so far, K is unwilling to accept the situation and decides to stay and attempt to speak with the official in charge, believing he can resolve the problem. Most of the petitioning of officials takes place in the Herrenhof inn, often at night. K is informed that he cannot stay at the inn, the rooms are only for castle officials, and ...