An interesting piece on Franz Kafka<\/a> by John Banville, on “Kafka’s other trial”. (I get a thrill when I see Elias Canetti’s name, a strange phenomenon. But thanks, Mr. Banville, for that.)<\/p>\n I like this part:<\/p>\n “Miss FB of Berlin” was, of course, Felice Bauer, with whom Kafka was to carry on a tormented entanglement \u2013 it is the only word \u2013 for the next five years, proposing marriage, breaking off the engagement, proposing again, again backing out. Throughout those five years they met on no more than a handful of occasions, and for the rest communicated, if that is the word, by letter. Only Kafka’s side of the correspondence survives, so that Felice’s tremendous silence sounds in our ears as both enigmatic and, somehow, tragic. It was not until 20 August that Kafka describes the encounter to his diary. The entry merits quotation:<\/p>\n Miss FB. When I arrived at Brod’s on 13 August, she was sitting at the table. I was not at all curious about who she was, but rather took her for granted at once. Bony, empty face that wore its emptiness openly. Bare throat. A blouse thrown on. Looked very domestic in her dress although, as it turned out, she by no means was. (I alienate myself from her a little by inspecting her so closely . . .) Almost broken nose. Blonde, somewhat straight, unattractive hair, strong chin. As I was taking my seat I looked at her closely for the first time, by the time I was seated I already had an unshakeable opinion.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Love at first sight, then, Kafka-style.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Go read the whole thing.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An interesting piece on Franz Kafka by John Banville, on “Kafka’s other trial”. (I get a thrill when I see Elias Canetti’s name, a strange phenomenon. But thanks, Mr. Banville, for that.) I like this part: “Miss FB of Berlin” … Continue reading