This is really awesome writing Yahia and I mean that in the truest sense of the word. I very clearly remember my first encounter with Kafka. When I was 15 I took a 3 month solo trip to France, England and Ireland, staying with family friends. My parents somehow managed to convince my local high school to give me credit for a semester of studies for this trip, and as part of that I attended a few weeks of classes at various schools along the way. In the lakes district of England I attended classes at a school, the name of which and indeed the name of the town even I have forgotten, and I took a theater class as one of the offerings.
One assignment was to read the first section of The Metamorphosis, and then (without using words, for obvious reasons) re-enact Gregor's interactions with his family and coworker as a solo performance for the class.
I was mesmerized. What was this that I was reading? Needless to say I read the entire thing, I could not stop at the assigned first section nor even put the book down once until I had finished it.
I was very surprised when my British classmates did not share my enthusiasm for the assignment and subject matter. Could they not see the genius at work here?
No they could not. I thank the powers that be for giving me the gift of perception in sufficient quantity to recognize genius when I see it. The world is a richer place for the Kafkas and indeed the Lababidis putting words on paper.
Much love - Carl
You do me honor, Carl. Since my mid teens, I’ve viewed the literary life as one of service and intensification of consciousness. Kafka helped me to see better and for the sake of this heightened perception, I continue to sell all else cheap...
It means a lot to me to hear how this piece resonates with you & to learn how you too were marked by Kafka around the same time/stage that I was.
“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us” says Kafka. And I have tried to dedicate my life to creating such literature. Thanks, again, kindred spirit for this note of recognition. May you be seen/heard 🙇🏻