From George Fabian, the author of the transformative biography of Karl Marx, comes this story of Franz Kafka, the enigmatic star of the literary Pantheon. As he traverses this well-mapped territory, Fabian draws on new evidence and familiarity with Kafka's world centered on Prague to explore dark corners of this gentle writer's life, identify explosive impulses he grappled with, and trace their impact on his literary production. The core of the story conveys the background and real-life motivation behind such intriguing gems of modern literature as The Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Castle. Also introduced is Kafka's secret love affair that spiced his major texts and may have not yet played itself out: The direct descendants of this affirmed bachelor may be living among us. Whether absorbed by Kafka's mystique or miffed by it, may you find this biography insightful and stimulating enough to visit his writings again.