No Longer Human
By Osamu Dazai & Donald Keene
- Release Date: 2012-09-30
- Genre: Fiction & Literature
Description
The poignant and fascinating story of a young man who is caught between the breakup of the traditions of a northern Japanese aristocratic family and the impact of Western ideas.
Mine has been a life of much shame. I can’t even guess myself what it must be to live the life of a human being.
Portraying himself as a failure, the protagonist of Osamu Dazai’s No Longer Human narrates a seemingly normal life even while he feels himself incapable of understanding human beings. His attempts to reconcile himself to the world around him begin in early childhood, continue through high school, where he becomes a “clown” to mask his alienation, and eventually lead to a failed suicide attempt as an adult. Without sentimentality, he records the casual cruelties of life and its fleeting moments of human connection and tenderness.
Still one of the ten bestselling books in Japan, No Longer Human is an important and unforgettable modern classic: “The struggle of the individual to fit into a normalizing society remains just as relevant today as it was at the time of writing.” (The Japan Times)
Reviews
Amazing
5By OODaisyDepression is beautiful described and represented. It’s a book I’ve had to take a break from, but it’s grown to be one of my favorite reads.A review
4By AnonymousPearl3929I find it fascinating how so many find this book to be incredibly resonating, but also some that find it incomprehensible, or even appalling, but I feel that to not understand this book, is to not understand oneself. The message was clear: society is an individual. Ultimately we are all alone and with that comes unavoidable despair, for at least those that don’t fear facing it, or intense discomfort for those who fail to see themselves in it. Thanks for reading my review!Interesting
4By mia_618The beginning was a little slow but the more I read the better it got. I believe that book was well written and ended with a little mystery and a good message, which I love.genuine reaction after reading
4By problems...must fix:(japanese holden caufield
1By colleenwomackwas expecting profound, devastating, transformative (as described). found misogynistic, self-pitying, pathetic. not sure what anyone has ever found moving in this novel. thank god it was so short.😶
5By ႦυႦႦʅҽɠυɱ ႦʅυҽʂA hard to put down writingRead twice
5By MargrettwokidsInsaneHorrifically beautiful book
5By Toast-KunOwOThis book deals with a lack of belonging and is humbling.A life without love is confusing
3By ArwumWhat a sad story so many people who live without any truth to guide themPitiful human being
5By nulocenicietaYozo is the most debased human being. His mind is detached and floating above him, unable to confront himself with others. What a mad lad. FIVE STARS!stunning autobiography
5By Glutonieits crazy how everything in the book still happens regularly.yum
5By Blue Roblox is bluei js read it cuz of bsd💪Super intriguing life of an extreme INTP
5By Dream legue cheataI recommend this to everyoneInside the mind of a man
5By moonlitejayVery interesting point of view on life, relationships, aspirations, careers, family, and substance use. Even though the books are dated to the 30s I think they’re still very relevant and relatable to today.No Longer Human
5By Ben2222225Amazing bookHeartwrenchingly relatable
5By Lyn Lyn MeowI’m honestly feeling so defeated after finishing this book. I’ve struggled with mental health and feeling like I could never live a normal life, suicide attempts and the feeling of alienation makes the narrator sickeningly relatable. I cant help but relate to him but at the same time be disgusted by him and in turn by myself. This book truly shares the experience of what it’s like living mentally ill and unable to relate with those around you. Down to the feeling of isolation and hopelessness. Truly an amazing book if you can handle the emotions it’ll put you through.Slay for depression
5By Londyn tottonI love sad books and about death or as peoples call it suicide and slay to Osamu DazaiWell-Crafted Book.
3By Jess ☆This was neither a feel-good, satisfying, or easy read. However, it was a good and well-thought-out book. Immediately after finishing this book, I had to read an analysis of it. It is easy to feel a sort of pity for Yozo, but it is hard to like him as his decisions became harmful and were disagreeable.Book rate
5By boiwithopeBest book and sad
