Illustrated Lives: Franz Kafka (Penguin Illustrated Lives S.) - Tapa blanda

The very name of Franz Kafka is synonymous with a nightmare vision of the modern world in which the individual is in a perpetual state of struggle. Some critics believe his greatest influence was his father, a demonic man who called Franz an 'insect'; others believe it was the political climate of fin de siecle Prague. PENGUIN ILLUSTRATED LIVES is a new series of photographic biographies that allows you to step into the world of your favourite writers. Each book contains a brief text (15,000words), integrated with over 100 images, many in colour, allowing an immediate, intimate understanding of their life: their family, friends, home and their work. Also included are particular visual treats such as first-edition covers, letters etc.

Jeremy Adler is Professor of German and Head of Department at King's College London. He has written for the Times, Guardian, Independent, New York Times and TLS.