Blumfeld, an Elderly Bachelor
Encyclopedia
Blumfeld, an Elderly Bachelor (Blumfeld, ein älterer Junggeselle) is an incomplete story by Franz Kafka
. Probably written in the beginning of 1915, it first appeared in Beschreibung eines Kampfes (Description of a Struggle
). It relates part of the life of Blumfeld, an elderly bachelor, who upon arriving home finds two balls bouncing off the ground of their own accord. The balls follow him wherever he goes, and it clearly annoys him. The action continues into the next day, following his attempt to be rid of the balls. After finding an apparent solution, he goes off to work, where we see him interact with those around him.
An entry from Kafka's Diaries
dated February 9, 1915 could refer to "Blumfeld":
A re-imagining of the story by Carter Scholz
is featured in Kafka Americana
.
Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka was a culturally influential German-language author of short stories and novels. Contemporary critics and academics, including Vladimir Nabokov, regard Kafka as one of the best writers of the 20th century...
. Probably written in the beginning of 1915, it first appeared in Beschreibung eines Kampfes (Description of a Struggle
Description of a Struggle
"Description of a Struggle" is a short story by Franz Kafka.-Origins:"Description of a Struggle" is one of Kafka's earliest stories that was not destroyed and is usually the earliest included in collections of his work...
). It relates part of the life of Blumfeld, an elderly bachelor, who upon arriving home finds two balls bouncing off the ground of their own accord. The balls follow him wherever he goes, and it clearly annoys him. The action continues into the next day, following his attempt to be rid of the balls. After finding an apparent solution, he goes off to work, where we see him interact with those around him.
An entry from Kafka's Diaries
Franz Kafka's Diaries
Franz Kafka's Diaries, written in German language between 1910-1923, include casual observations, details of daily life, reflections on philosophical ideas, accounts of dreams, and ideas for stories...
dated February 9, 1915 could refer to "Blumfeld":
Just now read the beginning. It is ugly and gives me a headache. In spite of all its truth it is wicked, pedantic, mechanical, a fish barely breathing on a sandbank.
A re-imagining of the story by Carter Scholz
Carter Scholz
Carter Scholz is a speculative fiction author and composer of music. He has published several works of short fiction and two novels . He has been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Award for Best Novelette...
is featured in Kafka Americana
Kafka Americana
Kafka Americana is a 1999 collection of short stories by Jonathan Lethem and Carter Scholz based on the life and works of Franz Kafka. Originally published in a limited edition by Subterranean Press, it was released as a trade paperback by W. W...
.