Overview

Long fascinated with the work of Franz Kafka, Peter Kuper began illustrating his stories in 1988. Initially drawn to the master's dark humor, Kuper adapted the stories over the years to plumb their deeper truths. Kuper's style deliberately evokes Lynd Ward and Frans Masereel, contemporaries of Kafka whose wordless novels captured much of the same claustrophobia and mania as Kafka's tales. Working from new translations of the classic texts, Kuper has reimagined these iconic stories for the twenty-first century, using setting and perspective to comment on contemporary issues like civil rights and homelessness. Longtime lovers of Kafka will appreciate Kuper's innovative interpretations, while Kafka novices will discover a haunting introduction to some of the great writer's most beguiling stories, including ""A Hunger Artist,"" ""In The Penal Colony,"" and ""The Burrow."" Kafkaesque stands somewhere between adaptation and wholly original creation, going beyond a simple illustration of Kafka's words to become a stunning work of art.

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9780393635621

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Reviews

[Kuper] does what I love. Jazz. This book is a series of riffs, visual improvisations on short takes by the old master. It becomes a diverting, even daring, high-wire act, where Kafka's stoic Euro-alienation meets and merges with Kuper's thoroughly American rock-and-roll alienation.--Jules Feiffer, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Kuper proves adept at using the synergy between text and image to both expand Kafka's ideas and trim his word counts... A richly innovative interpretation that honors the source while expanding the material. Kafka's timeless work has never hit so hard, nor more artfully. Woe to the reader who tries to skim Kafkaesque.... [Kuper's] faux woodcuts, with their explosive faces and grim chiaroscuro, cannot be easily digested -- a supreme virtue. In distilling Kafka's timeless themes, Kuper creates stark panels of disturbing truth and powerful warning.--Terry Hong A gorgeously illustrated collection that makes tales written nearly a century ago feel vibrant and vital. Kafka has found a perfect interpreter in Peter Kuper. Brilliant.... The Kafkaesque humor is intact, even enhanced.

...fans of enigmatic pessimism can allow themselves a shudder of delight. -- Strong Words Kafkaesque is a stout, enchanting exploration of Kafka's work. Illuminating his curious character with such incomparable art galvanises the comic's content, making each individual story land with dramatic flair... It's not only a startlingly robust testament to the power of Kafka's literary prowess, but also a splendid showcase for Kuper's manic artwork. -- Starburst Magazine

[Kuper] does what I love. Jazz. This book is a series of riffs, visual improvisations on short takes by the old master. It becomes a diverting, even daring, high-wire act, where Kafka's stoic Euro-alienation meets and merges with Kuper's thoroughly American rock-and-roll alienation.--Jules Feiffer, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist [Kuper] brilliantly accentuates both the absurd and menacing qualities of Kafka's short stories... Kuper's heavy use of chiaroscuro creates an atmosphere of dread, while his playful character design and innovative page layouts keenly evince Kafka's dark sense of humor. Kafka's timeless work has never hit so hard, nor more artfully. Kuper proves adept at using the synergy between text and image to both expand Kafka's ideas and trim his word counts... A richly innovative interpretation that honors the source while expanding the material.

[Kuper] does what I love. Jazz. This book is a series of riffs, visual improvisations on short takes by the old master. It becomes a diverting, even daring, high-wire act, where Kafka's stoic Euro-alienation meets and merges with Kuper's thoroughly American rock-and-roll alienation.--Jules Feiffer, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist

Author Information

Franz Kafka (1883–1924) was one of the most important writers of the twentieth century. His major novels include The Trial, The Castle, and Amerika. Peter Kuper is the author of numerous books, including the Eisner Award–winning Ruins. His editorial cartoons regularly appear in The New Yorker, The Nation, and Charlie Hebdo. He lives in New York. Peter Kuper is the author of numerous books, including the Eisner Award–winning Ruins. His editorial cartoons regularly appear in The New Yorker, The Nation, and Charlie Hebdo. He lives in New York.

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