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A review by taintdsorrow
The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai
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