A review by chazaiya
Schoolgirl by Osamu Dazai

emotional funny reflective medium-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

3.5

we experience the day of a japanese schoolgirl. it's a simple premise but as we invade her thoughts the book reveals a lot of depth. i get the feeling that dazai as a writer is both very bitter and funny. his writing is unique and his insight on japanese society, especially on an interpersonal level, during ww2 is interesting. a lot of beautiful prose here too (big fav of mine is "I'm sorry, i formed the words softly"). the protagonist is also interesting, her pain makes sense but the way she expresses it (albeit internally) makes her seem cruel. not to say that she's unlikable though, especially given her shift of character that you see slowly start to happen as she makes her way home. it's a nice little book, not as intense as other dazai writings but still worth a read.

i also find it really funny how dazai went on a tangent about how horrible women are from the perspective of a woman, as a man.