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No Longer Human

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"No Longer Human" by Osamu Dazai is a bleak and introspective novel that delves into the life of Oba Yozo, a character struggling with feelings of alienation and disconnection from society. The book explores themes of loneliness, suicide, and existential dread through Yozo's eyes as he navigates a world where he feels like an outsider. The writing style is described as powerful and impactful, with a narrative that captures the protagonist's internal turmoil and despair in a poignant manner.

Characters:

The characters are depicted with complexity, revealing the deep themes of alienation and despair through their interactions.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its emotional intensity and clarity, diving deep into the protagonist's psyche.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative explores Oba Yozo's life, chronicling his experiences with loneliness, addiction, and societal disconnection.

Setting:

The setting is crucial, providing a backdrop that enhances themes of existential despair and societal critique.

Pacing:

The pacing mirrors the protagonist's psychological journey, creating an immersive but heavy reading experience.
I can’t even guess myself what it must be to live the life of a human being. I was born in a village in the Northeast, and it wasn’t until I was quite big that I saw my first train. I climbed up and d...

Notes:

No Longer Human is semi-autobiographical, reflecting Osamu Dazai's own life experiences.
The protagonist, Oba Yozo, feels alienated and disconnected from humanity.
The book deals heavily with themes of depression, suicide, and substance abuse.
Dazai struggled with depression throughout his life and ultimately died by suicide shortly after this book was published.
The novel is widely regarded as a classic in Japanese literature and is one of the bestselling novels in Japan.
A manga adaptation illustrated by Junji Ito has gained popularity, adding a horror element to the story.
Readers often describe the book as haunting and emotionally impactful, managing to resonate deeply with those who relate to its themes.
The narrative is presented as a series of notebooks, giving it an intimate and confessional tone.
The last line of the book is particularly impactful, drawing strong emotional responses from readers.
Dazai's writing style is praised for its poignant and raw depiction of the psyche, making readers reflect on their own experiences.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include substance abuse, self-harm, suicide attempts, and themes of trauma and mental illness.

From The Publisher:

No longer human is one of the most famous novels of contemporary Japanese literature. His controversial and brilliant author, Osamu Dazai, incorporated numerous episodes of his turbulent life into the three notebooks that make up this novel and narrate, in the first person and a stark manner, the progressive decline of Yozo, a young student of provinces who leads a life Dissolute in Tokyo. Repudiated by his family after a suicide attempt and unable to live in harmony with his similar hypocrites, Yozo lives as a cartoonist and subsists thanks to the help of women who fall in love with him despite his alcoholism and morphine addiction.

Ratings (109)

Incredible (37)
Loved It (27)
Liked It (25)
It Was OK (11)
Did Not Like (8)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (281):

Read It (107)
Currently Reading (4)
Want To Read (140)
Did Not Finish (9)
Not Interested (21)

2 comment(s)

Loved It
1 month

I really liked the perspective on life and loss and the writing

 
Did Not Like
5 months

felt to cynical and cruel.

 

About the Author:

Osamu Dazai (1909-1948) was a 20th century Japanese novelist.

Donald Keene is a distinguished translator of Japanese.

 
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