Franz Kafka (1883–1924)
Franz Kafka was a German-speaking Bohemian novelist and short-story writer widely regarded as one of the major figures of 20th-century literature. His work, which fused elements of realism and the fantastic, typically features isolated protagonists facing bizarre or surrealistic predicaments and incomprehensible bureaucratic powers. Often interpreted as exploring themes of alienation, existential anxiety, guilt, and absurdity, his distinctive style gave rise to the term "Kafkaesque." Despite never completing any of his novels, his unique and enduring influence on Western literature is…