The story begins with a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, waking to find himself transformed (metamorphosed) into a large, monstrous insect-like creature. The cause of Gregor's transformation is never revealed, and Kafka himself never gave an explanation. The rest of Kafka's story deals with Gregor's attempts to adjust to his new condition as he deals with being burdensome to his parents and sister, who are repelled by the horrible, verminous creature Gregor has become.

The Metamorphosis has been called one of the seminal works of fiction of the 20^th century and is studied in colleges and universities across the Western world.

This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.