"In the diary one finds proof that, even in conditions that today seem unbearable, one lived, looked around and wrote down observations, that this right hand thus moved as it does today…"
As a person with a chronic illness who feels betrayed by my own body, it was reassuring to me that I am not the only one to feel like that, to feel my parts conspiring against me. I love the drawings so much. Thank you for sharing this.
Strong ending! I recently visited Prague and there's a Kafka street in the central square! Special to see that. I need to find a picture. I had no idea of his notes and they look messy but that just goes to tell you can have a clever mind, be articulated and produce structured work despite appearances. It's also completely news to me that he made drawings! Loved this post.
I visited Kafka's street decades ago when I visited Prague. It was so long ago, but I remember thinking that the city didn't quite fit the image I had of his surroundings from reading his books. Then again, I was 21, so what did I know? And it's true...sometimes messy notes produce the best literature.
Oh, my, how I resonate with the Kafka you've revealed to me here, Jillian. His thoughts and illustrations spilling out into various diaries, sketchbooks and scraps of paper. And his continual internal battle of brilliance and despair, fueling his creative output. Never satisfied that it has true value. And then you mention Mason Currey - serendipitous, as I touched his "Daily Rituals" on the shelf this morning and reminded myself to revisit it as I've been inspired by the habits and practices of the greats.
There's something about Kafka that feels so relatable. And _Daily Rituals_ is such a touchstone for me. I'm inspired whenever I read one of the mini-biographies.
Thanks, as always Jillian - great insights. Your last note about Kafka prompted me to dig up my old Schocken edition of his diaries which I bought on remainder a long time ago.
P.S. any updates on how the book project is going? I’m sure you’re looking forward to Summer Break!
You're welcome, Richard! As for the book--it's progressing, and I'm having fun with it! Summer is always my most productive time, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with the book then!
Thanks, Chen! Metamorphosis was published during Kafka's lifetime, so it probably wouldn't have been included in the letter. Definitely let me know if you have different information.
Indeed it was published, and was deemed 'existing" by Kafka as a few others, in the letter, but I'm holding my Russian translation right now.
I'd need to find an English translation.
( when I finally decided to read Kafka and found a book and ordered it on eBay I think? it was described very generally by the seller,
imagine my surprize when a huge tome arrived, named "Complete Works".
well, not so complete, as it doesn't have diaries, and letters but for the one to his father, and the one to Max Brod, and these wonderful notes and drawings -thank you!)
Just putting in a plug for Lovers of Franz K by Burhan Sönmez, which is a fictionalized account of students trying to protect Kafka's legacy. It was just translated into English and I loved it.
There's such a strong similarity beteeen Kafka and Dostoyevsky (two of our favourite weiterd). Perhaps a degree of self loathing and dissatifsction are forceful engines of creativity, though Picasso never suffered from either!
I was thinking about this too. That self-loathing can be productive...but absolutely miserable. And both Kafka and Dostoyevsky produced pretty miserable, though brilliant, works.
Fascinating as always! Thank you, Jillian. I don't know much about Kafka - I was caught on the "tuberculosis." At least two of the Bronte sisters died of it...makes me want to get my hand on John Green's book!
I don’t believe a happy Kafka could have written the tortured masterpieces that added the word kafkaesque to the English lexicon. Probably the same is true of Dostoevsky to whom he’s often compared. Thanks so much for this interesting piece.
I wonder if Kafka's ambivalence that you note can be seen also in his editing of his own diaries? Perhaps it substantiates the claim that he did intend his diaries and personal writings to be read. He seems to be completely consumed by his craft, and there is something beautiful in his eternal attempts to refine it.
As a person with a chronic illness who feels betrayed by my own body, it was reassuring to me that I am not the only one to feel like that, to feel my parts conspiring against me. I love the drawings so much. Thank you for sharing this.
I'm so glad to know this post --and Kafka's words--spoke to you!
Strong ending! I recently visited Prague and there's a Kafka street in the central square! Special to see that. I need to find a picture. I had no idea of his notes and they look messy but that just goes to tell you can have a clever mind, be articulated and produce structured work despite appearances. It's also completely news to me that he made drawings! Loved this post.
I visited Kafka's street decades ago when I visited Prague. It was so long ago, but I remember thinking that the city didn't quite fit the image I had of his surroundings from reading his books. Then again, I was 21, so what did I know? And it's true...sometimes messy notes produce the best literature.
Here are the picks on Notes https://substack.com/@writerpilgrimbysoelite/note/c-112799315
That gives me hope! Thank you!
Oh, my, how I resonate with the Kafka you've revealed to me here, Jillian. His thoughts and illustrations spilling out into various diaries, sketchbooks and scraps of paper. And his continual internal battle of brilliance and despair, fueling his creative output. Never satisfied that it has true value. And then you mention Mason Currey - serendipitous, as I touched his "Daily Rituals" on the shelf this morning and reminded myself to revisit it as I've been inspired by the habits and practices of the greats.
There's something about Kafka that feels so relatable. And _Daily Rituals_ is such a touchstone for me. I'm inspired whenever I read one of the mini-biographies.
Thanks, as always Jillian - great insights. Your last note about Kafka prompted me to dig up my old Schocken edition of his diaries which I bought on remainder a long time ago.
P.S. any updates on how the book project is going? I’m sure you’re looking forward to Summer Break!
You're welcome, Richard! As for the book--it's progressing, and I'm having fun with it! Summer is always my most productive time, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with the book then!
what an amazing post, thank you
(I thought 'The Metamorphosis" was one of the few works he did permit to publish, in that letter? need to re-read")
Thanks, Chen! Metamorphosis was published during Kafka's lifetime, so it probably wouldn't have been included in the letter. Definitely let me know if you have different information.
Indeed it was published, and was deemed 'existing" by Kafka as a few others, in the letter, but I'm holding my Russian translation right now.
I'd need to find an English translation.
( when I finally decided to read Kafka and found a book and ordered it on eBay I think? it was described very generally by the seller,
imagine my surprize when a huge tome arrived, named "Complete Works".
well, not so complete, as it doesn't have diaries, and letters but for the one to his father, and the one to Max Brod, and these wonderful notes and drawings -thank you!)
Just putting in a plug for Lovers of Franz K by Burhan Sönmez, which is a fictionalized account of students trying to protect Kafka's legacy. It was just translated into English and I loved it.
Oooo--that sounds really great! Thanks for the recommendation.
There's such a strong similarity beteeen Kafka and Dostoyevsky (two of our favourite weiterd). Perhaps a degree of self loathing and dissatifsction are forceful engines of creativity, though Picasso never suffered from either!
Thanks for this.
I was thinking about this too. That self-loathing can be productive...but absolutely miserable. And both Kafka and Dostoyevsky produced pretty miserable, though brilliant, works.
Kafka was his own worst enemy...
Indeed! I want to go back in time and shake him and tell him he's wonderful!
Fascinating as always! Thank you, Jillian. I don't know much about Kafka - I was caught on the "tuberculosis." At least two of the Bronte sisters died of it...makes me want to get my hand on John Green's book!
I don’t believe a happy Kafka could have written the tortured masterpieces that added the word kafkaesque to the English lexicon. Probably the same is true of Dostoevsky to whom he’s often compared. Thanks so much for this interesting piece.
Thank you, Jillian. I found it interesting he called the books ‘diaries’ when they appeared to be journals. Was this a cultural German thing I wonder?
I wonder if Kafka's ambivalence that you note can be seen also in his editing of his own diaries? Perhaps it substantiates the claim that he did intend his diaries and personal writings to be read. He seems to be completely consumed by his craft, and there is something beautiful in his eternal attempts to refine it.