Prague-born novelist Franz Kafka (5 letters) was a German-language writer of novels and short stories. He is widely regarded as one of the major figures of 20th-century literature. His works, such as The Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Castle, are filled with surrealistic elements and explore themes of alienation, existential anxiety, guilt, and absurdity. Kafka's writing style has been influential in literature and popular culture.