by Franz Kafka
Published 2015
The Metamorphosis (German: Die Verwandlung, also sometimes translated as The Transformation) is a novella by Franz Kafka, first published in 1915. It has been cited as one of the seminal works of fiction of the 20th century and is studied in colleges and universities across the Western world. The story begins with a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, waking to find himself transformed (metamorphosed) into a large, monstrous insect-like creature. The cause of Gregor's transformation is never revealed, and Kafka himself never gave an explanation. The rest of Kafka's novella deals with Gregor's attempts to adjust to his new condition as he deals with being burdensome to his parents and sister, who are repulsed by the horrible, verminous creature Gregor has become. Zephyr-House is proud to release this book as part of its one~prose series
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Low · Soft · Intimate · +3 more
“This voice possesses a profound solemnity and intimate tone, perfectly capturing the melancholic and measured narration required for the story's tragic absurdity.”
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Crisp
“The bleak and wistful delivery of this voice embodies the detached, sorrowful quality essential for Kafka's narrative style.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Serious
“With its deep, smooth presence and dramatic undertone, this voice lends itself well to the serious and dark atmospheric requirements of the book.”
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“A calm, steady, and monotone delivery from this young American voice conveys the clinical and detached perspective of the narrator.”
Canadian · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“The voice's smooth, professional tone and measured pacing create a formal yet somber presence, fitting the book's classic literary genre.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
Before his transformation, diligent and slightly meek. After, his internal voice is filled with despair, confusion, and quiet resignation, reflecting his physical helplessness.
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“This weary and raw voice aptly conveys Gregor's post-transformation despair and quiet resignation, embodying his internal struggle.”
Us Southern · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“His soft, measured tone is ideal for Gregor's introspective thoughts, highlighting his gentle nature trapped in a horrifying new reality.”
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Gentle
“A gentle yet serious American narration voice would articulate Gregor's inherent meekness and growing helplessness with sensitivity.”
Finnish · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Raspy
“The cold, raspy, and hollow texture of this voice strikingly portrays Gregor's physical transformation and profound sense of isolation and despair.”
Indian · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Intense
“The intense yet measured pacing of this young Indian male could underscore Gregor's underlying anxiety and confusion without being overtly dramatic.”
Authoritative and gruff, his voice carries the weight of a disillusioned patriarch, often expressing anger, frustration, and disgust.
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Character-Voice · Deep · Authoritative · +4 more
“This deep, dramatic, and stern voice perfectly embodies the disillusioned patriarch's gruff demeanor and mounting frustration.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Character-Voice · Deep · Serious · +3 more
“The cinematic and serious presence of this middle-aged voice captures the commanding and intense anger of the family's patriarch.”
Male · Old · Educational · Narration · Deep · Professional · +3 more
“With its deep, professional, and serious tone, this older voice provides the gravitas for a frustrated father, expressing his disgust with controlled intensity.”
Male · Old · Narration · Professional · Serious · Authoritative · +2 more
“A mature, raspy voice with a serious, measured pace effectively communicates Mr. Samsa's weary disillusionment and underlying anger.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Authoritative · Professional · +5 more
“The clear, deep, and serious delivery of this voice is suitable for conveying the father's frustration in a formal yet impactful manner, reflecting his position.”
A stern, highly formal, and unyielding voice, conveying bureaucratic authority and a lack of empathy.
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Educational · Calm · Professional · +3 more
“This voice offers a perfectly serious and measured tone, ideal for the Chief Clerk's unyielding bureaucratic formality and lack of empathy.”
British · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Professional
“The professional British baritone projects a precise and formal presence, reflecting the Chief Clerk's stern and unbending nature.”
Indian · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Professional
“His clear and calm professional delivery, with an Indian accent, fits the character's unyielding and formal tone, suggesting a detached adherence to rules.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Professional
“A low-pitched, professional American voice works well to convey the Chief Clerk's serious and unyielding bureaucratic demeanor.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Calm · Professional · +3 more
“The calm, deep, and measured delivery of this voice, despite its warmth, can create a highly formal and stern presence for the Chief Clerk.”