The Metamorphosis is the most famous of Kafka's works. A story of traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect. The Metamorphosis is open to a wide range of interpretations most obvious are themes relating to society's treatment of those who are different, the loneliness of isolation. Franz Kafka was a German author of novels and short stories. Critics regard Kafka as one of the best writers of the 20th century. Kafka's writing attracted little attention until after his death. He published a few short stories, finished the novella The Metamorphosis, but never finished any of his full length novels.