"The Trial" is a novel written by Franz Kafka, published posthumously in 1925. The work is an anguishing narrative that explores themes of bureaucracy, alienation, and the absurd human condition.

The story revolves around Josef K., a banker who, on an ordinary day, is confronted by a group of men who inform him that he is being prosecuted, though they do not reveal the nature of the accusation. From that moment on, Josef K. finds himself entangled in a labyrinth of opaque and surreal legal proceedings, where logic seems absent and justice is unattainable.

As the narrative progresses, Josef K. seeks to understand the reasons for his accusation and tries to fight against an oppressive and impersonal judicial system. His struggle becomes increasingly desperate, reflecting the individual's powerlessness in the face of unyielding institutions and bureaucracy.

The novel is characterized by a dark and absurd tone, typical of Kafka's work, and culminates in a disturbing conclusion that leaves the reader questioning the nature of guilt, power, and life itself. "The Trial" is often interpreted as a critique of modern society and the dehumanization of the individual in a world governed by incomprehensible rules and procedures.