LOVERS OF FRANZ K. by Burhan Sönmez

Translated by Sami Hêzil

A young Turkish man, Ferdy Kaplan, shoots dead a German university student in a Berlin street. He is questioned by the local Komissar who is hell bent on proving some political motive. At first, Kaplan is evasive. Then the truth is out. The poor kid was not the target. Rather, Kaplan wanted to kill the old man standing next to him - Max Brod. Kaplan was answering a call to arms, long mooted in French resistance magazines, that Brod deserved to die for his refusal to follow Kafka’s instruction that the great author’s papers be burnt after his death

The question of Kaplan’s culpability is quickly flipped on its head; in a series of interview and court transcripts we watch the two men consider Brod’s actions and the consequence they might warrant. And while no literary “crime” has been more comprehensively prosecuted than Brod’s, Sönmez adds a very cool twist. No spoilers, so I’ll just say that if you’re a Kafka fan you’re in for a treat. Even if you’re not, this is a playful and fascinating dive into questions of creativity, friendship and moral responsibility. There’s even a cheeky action sequence thrown in for good measure. Heaps of fun!

Lovers of Franz K. by Burhan Sönmez (Tr. Sami Hêzil)
Open Borders Press, 2024
110 pages