Kafka – 3.5 stars
Nine of Franz Kafka’s surreal and unsettling short stories are adapted into manga form, including both well-known works and less prominent ones among the collection.
Like the creators of this book, I didn’t really “get” The Metamorphosis when I first read it. Something about the detail of the killer apple made me snort with laughter – but then my impulse in uneasy situations is generally maniacal giggling so I’m not sure how much that says.
Unlike the creators of this book, I am still not entirely sure I’m sold on Kafka, but I can certainly appreciate the equally surreal and unsettling images that populate this book. By keeping things black and white, the horror and gore somehow makes an even deeper impact.
However, I don’t know how successful Kafka is when translated to visual form overall – I couldn’t always follow what was happening in the stories. And though I understand the difficulty of translating words which have been translated and reinterpreted many times before they became English in my hands, the fact remains that the writing felt oddly flat in many places.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
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Goblin Mode Guide to Life – 3 stars
Going ‘goblin mode’ means letting go and being less caught up in maintaining a specific self image – but some people might need a workbook to help them get there.
This is admittedly an odd book for me to review for several reasons. I scarcely noticed the whole goblin mode moment when it was here (Google says it was during early 2022?), I’m not big on self-help workbooks, and clinical depression has taught me all about letting go of perfectionism. However, I know plenty of people who’d appreciate the lessons in this book.
Though themed around the idea of goblin mode, this workbook is really about becoming better at not feeling the need for perfection at all times. The prompts take you through plenty of spheres of life, from work to home to romance, and encourages you to think about your attitude toward all of these, what might have formed said attitude, and how to figure out what you’re willing to get more laidback on to preserve your sanity.
The prompts are comprehensive and seem useful if you engage with them seriously (though still very geared toward perfectionists), and I liked the art and quotes sprinkled throughout. However, I did wish there were more projects and tips included – when it’s called a guide, you usually expect more explicit guidance!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
