Translated by Phoebe Bay Carter. He opened his eyes and stretched his arms wide, yawning. He felt at ease. He smiled with satisfaction, knowing he’d made it over the peak of pain and finally awoken from that nightmare which had felt like it might never end. A nightmare in which he’d watched himself turn into a monster, hairy and dwarfish like a demonic monkey. He inhaled, filling his mouth and nose, seeking the pleasure of resurfacing after drowning, but instead the putrid smell clobbered his senses. He opened his eyes all the way and raised his palms to find two hands that were not his own. So it wasn’t a nightmare that had come and settled on his chest in the night. No, it was the reality he woke up to in the morning.
I’m enjoying this immensely—as a Kafka fan, an Arab lit fan, a literature teacher and occasional translator. I’ve always wanted to read a serialized novel (imagining it was the 19th century) so thank you for the text and your notes and discussion.
I’m enjoying this immensely—as a Kafka fan, an Arab lit fan, a literature teacher and occasional translator. I’ve always wanted to read a serialized novel (imagining it was the 19th century) so thank you for the text and your notes and discussion.
Thank you, David, for your comment and for reading along as I translate!