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taintdsorrow's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.75
Brief Summary
the story sets in the early postwar years, it tells about an aristocratic family who experienced decline and poverty because of the war defeat and the transition from a feudal Japan to an industrial society. in the story, I can see how the aristocratic family, who is one of the “victims of a transitional period of morality”, struggle to continue their lives.
My thoughts
it's such a pity to see Kazuko and her aristocratic family run out of money and become poor. Kazuko has to work in the field to earn money. in her difficult situation, the only important thing for Kazuko is her mother. it's so touching and sad how big her love is for her mother. this novel has dark, depressing, hopeless and melancholic nuances (but for me not as depressing as No Longer Human). we can see how the change of morality can influence people that much which leads them to struggle in their lives. there are some triggering contents such as suicide and cheating. in the ending, I can see how Kazuko gains new hope to continue living even though he has lost everything.
I personally like this novel because of Osamu Dazai's writing style and the symbols he used. the autobiography style makes me think "this is so him" because Dazai also came from an aristocratic family who experienced moral crises and he tried to commit suicide several times. I think he's really writing about himself through Naoji's character.
the story sets in the early postwar years, it tells about an aristocratic family who experienced decline and poverty because of the war defeat and the transition from a feudal Japan to an industrial society. in the story, I can see how the aristocratic family, who is one of the “victims of a transitional period of morality”, struggle to continue their lives.
My thoughts
it's such a pity to see Kazuko and her aristocratic family run out of money and become poor. Kazuko has to work in the field to earn money. in her difficult situation, the only important thing for Kazuko is her mother. it's so touching and sad how big her love is for her mother. this novel has dark, depressing, hopeless and melancholic nuances (but for me not as depressing as No Longer Human). we can see how the change of morality can influence people that much which leads them to struggle in their lives. there are some triggering contents such as suicide and cheating. in the ending, I can see how Kazuko gains new hope to continue living even though he has lost everything.
I personally like this novel because of Osamu Dazai's writing style and the symbols he used. the autobiography style makes me think "this is so him" because Dazai also came from an aristocratic family who experienced moral crises and he tried to commit suicide several times. I think he's really writing about himself through Naoji's character.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
mgaggs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A simple story but exceedingly effective. The fast pace and evocative writing style make this very hard to put down. This is the first Dazai book I’ve ever read, but I will have to get more after this. His ability to draw out empathy from the reader for characters who are extremely pathetic is beautiful. A reminder of what it means to be human, to lose direction and find it again. This title is something special.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Drug use, and War
peebee33's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
dyingotters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I read No Longer Human a few years back and while I enjoyed it, it was nothing like the super soul-crushing depressing story everyone told me it was gonna be. The Setting Sun provided a much more empathizable main character for me which made her story much more tragic and despairing. I liked the way Dazai wrote her character’s position in society as a (former) aristocratic woman, her relationship with her family, love and how she sees the world made the story take a stance on class, society, gender dynamics, etc., something that I felt No Longer Human was lacking from its overly cynical and self-absorbed main character even if it was a better reflection of Dazai himself
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Drug use, and Grief
camlamps's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
lea333's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Suicide, Alcoholism, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: War
jcapati's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Alcoholism
Moderate: Suicide and War
gremlingorl's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Mommy issues the novel.
Slow paced at times (particularly the letters), beautiful at others, and scattered with small heart wrenching moments. This book wasn’t for me, but in the end still left me with a feeling of depressing emptiness for characters so lost and helpless in their own lives. Thanks Dazai.
Slow paced at times (particularly the letters), beautiful at others, and scattered with small heart wrenching moments. This book wasn’t for me, but in the end still left me with a feeling of depressing emptiness for characters so lost and helpless in their own lives. Thanks Dazai.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicidal thoughts
anemosise's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Addiction, and Alcoholism
kiminohon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide