Franz Kafka 
A Hunger Artist 

In the days when hunger could be cultivated and practiced as an art form, the individuals who practiced it were often put on show for all to see. One man who was so devout in his pursuit of hunger pushed against the boundaries set by the circus that housed him and strived to go longer than forty days without food. As interest in his art began to fade, he pushed the boundaries even further. In this short story about one man’s plight to prove his worth, Franz Kafka illustrates the themes of self-hatred, dedication, and spiritual yearning.

About the author

Franz Kafka (1883-1924) was a German author and is considered to be one of the most influential authors of the twentieth century. With works like The Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Castle, he specialized in diverse themes and archetypes of alienation, physical and psychological brutality, parent-child conflict, and characters who take on terrifying quests.