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13.8k reviews for:

인간실격

다자이 오사무

3.81 AVERAGE

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Title & Blurb: 5/5 Stars

I personally love this title “No Longer Human” it’s so captivating and true to the story. The blurb does a good job of hooking the reader in without actually spoiling anything.

Plot: 4/5 Stars

The plot, without spoiling it, is surprisingly simple but at the same time so very interesting, I really had a hard time putting this book down. I did wish for a bit more depth and detail but overall it was incredible.

Character Development: 4/5 Stars

The main character, Yozo actually develops in a strange way I’ve never seen before, almost like he’s forcing himself to change. His development dips and rises but ends in a way that fits his narrative.


Pacing: 3/5 Stars

I did think the story was a bit too fast paced and it would jump around too quickly. But overall it wasn’t too bad and it didn’t ruin the story at all I just wish it were a bit longer.

Overall Enjoyment: 5/5 Stars

I do highly recommend this book, I mean it when I said I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in one day and enjoyed every page, it’s such a unique idea and a fun read over all.
dark reflective sad 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

good read but i got annoyed with him a lot

this book oh my god
it was kind of confusing but at the same time it wasn't??
it's very different from anything i've ever read but omg i felt the emotions in my soul. the writing is absolutely beautiful and the story is heartbreaking. loved it.
dark reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

When I first read this, I was going through depression and related to this book a lot. The issue is that this book reads like one written by and about someone who’s depressed and stuck with untreated problems/views that affect every part of his life and never sort themselves out.

If you want to read that it’s fine, but this is not a book I can get through rereading now that that mindset’s behind me. The book itself is really good at capturing what untreated depression feels like
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

katiepotatey's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH

I really couldn’t deal with the hypocrisy of the main character—his sexist loathing of women and their needs, all while paying for sex services from women, was the nail in the coffin. I understand the subtext of the author’s own homosexuality and how this must play into his treatment of women as lesser (and how this is all a reflection of his self-hatred), but a difficult read. 
sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark reflective 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

i read this because i really like dark, gloomy and depressed topics and i can always relate to songs, books, movies, etc. but while reading no longer human i didn't connect with the story at all. instead i always wondered: ok this and that happens and its very bad and frustrating but the protagonist seems to just go with it and doesn't seem to care because he lives in his own reality? i feel like yozo doesn't want to fight anymore and he doesn't improve and thats fine but for me it felt like he feels like this since he is a child and is aware that he is scared and unhappy in this society. but i just don't get how he realizes that. its just like that since the first chapter. it really confuses me. i kinda miss the transformation from him feeling like he doesn't fit in to getting to his worst point.
idk...maybe its because of the translation? i've read it in english but my mother tongue is german.... still it blows my mind how everbody praises this book? i feel like i'm missing sth important but just can't get it? but usually i can relate and enjoy this kind of genre.