Franz Kafka (1883–1924) is one of the most influential of modern authors, whose darkly fascinating novels and stories - where themes such as power, punishment and alienation loom large - have become emblematic of modern life. This Introduction offers a clear and accessible account of Kafka's life, work and literary influence and overturns many myths surrounding them. His texts are in fact far more engaging, diverse, light-hearted and ironic than is commonly suggested by clichés of 'the Kafkaesque'. And, once explored in detail, they are less difficult and impenetrable than is often assumed. Through close analysis of their style, imagery and narrative perspective, Carolin Duttlinger aims to give readers the confidence to (re-)discover Kafka's works without constant recourse to the mantras of critical orthodoxy. In addition, she situates Kafka's texts within their wider cultural, historical and political contexts illustrating how they respond to the concerns of their age, and of our own.

'Sprightly and astute … an excellent guide that has much to offer readers new to Kafka's web as well as those already snared.' Times Literary Supplement
'It is genuinely refreshing to read a book on Kafka without an agenda or all-encompassing thesis about how to interpret Kafka and what our earlier readings were missing - even if such books also have their time and place … The book will be useful to general readers, students at all levels, and literary scholars who might be familiar with some of Kafka's works and are looking to read more.' Kata Gellen, German Studies Review

Carolin Duttlinger is University Lecturer in German at the University of Oxford and Ockenden Fellow in German at Wadham College Oxford. She is the author of Kafka and Photography (2007) and the editor, with Ben Morgan and Anthony Phelan, of Walter Benjamins anthropologisches Denken (2012).