Franz Kafka, a writer's life

Franz Kafka's wishes concerning publication of his works during his lifetime as well as the disposition of his literary estate have long been controversial and have given rise to many misunderstandings and misrepresentations - some attaining an almost folkloristic status. The prevalent view of an author who desired to have his works destroyed contradicts the reality shown here of the close, symbiotic relationship between Kafka's private life and his literary ambitions.

Particular attention is given to Kafka's relationship to and interactions with his publishers, as Unseld discloses the history of the primary correspondence between Kafka and Ernst Rowohlt, Kurt Wolff, and his friend and tireless advocate, Max Brod.