Kafka in Love

With neither the imagination and lyricism of a novel nor the analysis and attention to detail of a biography, this hybrid illuminates the worst of both worlds. This is a shame, as the subject matter, the four women with whom Franz Kafka shared his life, is fascinating. First is Felice, whom he meets through his friend Max Brod. Kafka sends her hundreds of letters while also writing some of his greatest work. They are engaged, but Kafka breaks it off, meeting Julie while recovering from Spanish influenza in a small village. They are engaged, but again, this time at his father’s bidding, Kafka breaks the engagement, prompting him to pen the famous Letter to His Father. Kafka then meets Milena, a married journalist and translator. The description of their encounter—“Indicators suggest that in this border town... the two lovers (who are no longer lovers) talked at length, but as though they were strangers”—is typical of Raoul-Duval’s leaden prose. Finally Kafka takes up with Dora, the young woman with whom he will live until the end of his tragically short life at 40 years. This is the book’s best section and extremely touching, but too late in coming. (Nov.)