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mgseaton01 's review for:
No Longer Human
by Osamu Dazai
Trigger warning: the narrator seriously struggles with depression and attempts to commit suicide twice. Someone else around him succeeds. Also LOTS of sexism. It was written in the 1940’s, which while not an excuse, is likely explains some of the misogyny. Proceed at your own discretion.
Don’t read this book for fun. It’s not fun. Only ready this book if you’re mentally healthy and want to catch a glimpse into one of humanity’s the deepest fears: ‘Are we valued/worthy/loveable’.
Some people with depression seek out the small, bright, joy in every mundane scenario. This narrator manages to highlight the fear and the ugliness in every moment of this life he deems important enough to share.
Was this a literary work that helped expand my understanding of humanity? Yeah, I guess. I’ve had plenty of these dark thoughts myself (excluding his endless monologues on womanhood). But I purposefully don’t dwell on them for extended periods of time, like the time it took to read this book.
Would I read it again? Probably not. But now I can say I’ve already read it if anyone recommends it in the future.