This collection of stories contains a variety of lesser-known short tales, often just a few pages long. The themes are reminiscent of Kafka's great novels: with seriousness, meticulousness, and equanimity, he depicts human fate in all its absurdity and hopelessness. He tells the story of the hunger artist, who has become almost invisible from starving and can no longer find an audience. Of the circus performer who can no longer live without a trapeze. And of the man who is attacked by a vulture and pecked to death.