"The Trial" (by Franz Kafka)

"The Trial" by Franz Kafka is a novel about Josef K., who is suddenly accused of a crime he doesn't understand. Throughout the story, he navigates a confusing, opaque legal system that seems arbitrary and oppressive. Despite his efforts, he cannot find out what he's accused of or how to defend himself. The novel explores themes of guilt, guiltlessness, and the absurdity of bureaucracy, highlighting the sense of helplessness individuals can feel when faced with incomprehensible systems of authority. It is a powerful allegory of existential anxiety and the randomness of justice.