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challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
god this was depressing, not in the same way dostoevsky is depressing, by which i mean in the relatable, almost romantic with tinges of hope kind of way. this was just flat out depressing. maybe i just don't vibe w japanese literature or maybe its just dazai himself. i very much prefer dostoevsky.
the main character only wants money to indulge in his self-destruction which is awful, and uses women and thinks rather poorly of them. attempts suicide twice. i dont shame addiction or depression or suicide but this character was just...horrible. theres ways to live with yourself and these situations, but this character just thrived in his own misery, making him very easy to despise.
had i read this much earlier while in my previous relationship, knowing it was my partner's favorite book at the time, i would have left MUCH sooner.
the main character only wants money to indulge in his self-destruction which is awful, and uses women and thinks rather poorly of them. attempts suicide twice. i dont shame addiction or depression or suicide but this character was just...horrible. theres ways to live with yourself and these situations, but this character just thrived in his own misery, making him very easy to despise.
had i read this much earlier while in my previous relationship, knowing it was my partner's favorite book at the time, i would have left MUCH sooner.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
Favorite book unfortunately.
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There’s some interesting quotes and questions in there, but it’s basically his life with minor deviations. The biggest sense you get is his self-imposed alienation from society that gives interesting perspectives on society and crime/sin. Still it is mostly rambling through his life in a way that doesn’t draw you in very much
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
While I did enjoy this book, it wouldn't be one I'd recommend without extensive warning. No Longer Human is often considered a quasi-autobiography, something that makes Yozo's unfortunate character and introspection all the more uncomfortable.
I believed, as a fan of classic literature, that I'd been inoculated to misogynistic protagonists, but the sheer number of paragraphs spent describing women as vapid and unintelligent borders on obsessive. There were times when Yozo would - once again - lament the 'disgusting nature of women', and I'd simply sigh and walk away to try and usher forth the strength to continue reading.
There are components to this book I appreciated; there is a surprising amount of humour to be found, enough that it garnered a few out-loud chuckles from me. The writing itself is also stunning, whatever gripes I have about the man's character, Dazai's descriptions and parallels to literary classics are both enjoyable and memorable.
This book isn't one for those looking for a satisfying conclusion or even character growth. While Yozo does *eventually* admit he could be the same vapid egoist he condemns all people as, it's written as more of a passing thought than a revelation.
I believed, as a fan of classic literature, that I'd been inoculated to misogynistic protagonists, but the sheer number of paragraphs spent describing women as vapid and unintelligent borders on obsessive. There were times when Yozo would - once again - lament the 'disgusting nature of women', and I'd simply sigh and walk away to try and usher forth the strength to continue reading.
There are components to this book I appreciated; there is a surprising amount of humour to be found, enough that it garnered a few out-loud chuckles from me. The writing itself is also stunning, whatever gripes I have about the man's character, Dazai's descriptions and parallels to literary classics are both enjoyable and memorable.
This book isn't one for those looking for a satisfying conclusion or even character growth. While Yozo does *eventually* admit he could be the same vapid egoist he condemns all people as, it's written as more of a passing thought than a revelation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes