Franz Kafka was born in Prague on 3 July 1883. He was a philosopher and writer of novels and short stories (all written in the German language) who is widely regarded as one of the major figures of 20thcentury literature. His work, which fuses elements of realism and the fantastic typically features isolated protagonists faced by bizarre or surrealistic predicaments and incomprehensible social-bureaucratic powers, and has been interpreted as exploring themes of alienation, existential anxiety, guilt and absurdity. His best known works include The Metamorphosis, The Trial and The Castle. The term Kafkaesque has entered the English language to describe situations like those in his writing.
Suffering from laryngeal tuberculosis Kafka came to Montmorillon at the end of May 1927. Visiting the Glass Key bookshop in the Cité de l’Ecrit in Montmorillon he became unable to breathe and he died there on 3 June. His body was returned to Prague where it was buried.
One reply on “Died on this day – 3 June 1927”
Sources saw him in Foyles Bookshop in London that year. What was he searching for?