2.06k reviews for:

The Setting Sun

Osamu Dazai, Donald Keene

3.91 AVERAGE

iligzz's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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This is the third time I read a book by Osamu Dazai, I don’t like Osamu Dazai. With that being said, I will continue to read Osamu Dazai’s novels. Bye

mayarabutalib20's review against another edition

3.25

emotional sad medium-paced

asher_babe's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

papersnowdrop's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

warmgreenteaa's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

bbildanainat's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

ria_sedai's review against another edition

3.75

hopeful reflective

shawnzzy's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This book starts slowly, to the point I put it down for months. I would say the slow burn is what gives the end so much force though.

A story dealing with loss.

jeigreen's review against another edition

4.0

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just the complete tragedy of being alive and your life changing is so beautiful to read. dazai always reminds me how terrible yet powerful it is to be human.

adelaideandart's review against another edition

2.0

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(About the Polish edition): Despite the preface about the historical context of the book, I couldn’t really get into it. Most of the book was quite boring and lacked more in-depth characterisation. Or maybe it’s about the societal aspect, which wasn’t really brought up in this book but would benefit it in my opinion? Some dialogues were very weird and I couldn’t understand why the characters were talking this way. It’s as if they were picking the most random dialogue options to push the narrative.

On top of that, I couldn’t understand how Kazuko fell in love with Mr Uehara, whom she characterised unfavourably in the beginning, just after one kiss and then kept pining for him for 6 years? Only to have sex with him once and decide to give up on the romance.

All things considered, I understand why this book was the catalyst for the feelings of the society in that time. It simply didn’t move me the same way.