I'm Aiton Weinstein.

And I'm Naor Menninger.

And you're listening to Two Nice Jewish Boys.

This podcast is made in collaboration with the Jewish Journal.

Someone must have been telling lies about Joseph K. For without having done anything wrong, he was arrested one fine morning.

This perfectly crafted sentence opens probably one of the most important novels of the 20th century,

written by probably one of the most important novelists in modern literature.

It was written by a 30-something-year-old Jew

from Prague. In his short life, he went on to write several books that would make his name

almost synonymous with modern literature. That name is Franz Kafka. But what most people don't know

about the legendary author is that Kafka and his work almost disappeared

into oblivion.

Almost, but thankfully there was Max Brod.

In his new book, The Last Trial, writer Benjamin Balint, in his new book, the last trial,

writer Benjamin Balint, tells for the first time the full story of Kafka's legacy and how it

survived against all odds. To NJB is honored to be joined by Benjamin to hear about his new book

and the story of Kafka. Thanks for joining us. I'm pleased to be here. Did it survive though?

Did what survive? The legacy? Did it, did it? Let's start from the ending, maybe.

Well, the ending is essentially that I'm sitting one day at the Supreme Court of Israel and Jerusalem.

And I'm sitting in one of the alcoves next to the plaintiff, and her name is Chava Hoffa.

And she has in her apartment on Spinoza Street in Tel Aviv, priceless manuscripts that had

been written and had belonged to Franz Kafka.

...