Scan barcode
A review by xengisa
The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai, Donald Keene
5.0
There's not been any of Dazai's works I've read that I've disliked. The Setting Sun, to me, feels like a loose sequel-- at least in spirit-- to Schoolgirl (which is marginally my favourite book from Dazai). For example, there's a lot of talk about flowers (more in The Setting Sun) and beauty, and the whimsical yet conflicting nature of the narrator is apparent in both. And the digressions into motherhood...I've not had... feelings of Kazuko's degree, but Dazai frames them very nicely.
The bulk of Dazai's voice, so to speak, I think, comes from Naoji's letters and behaviour, and to some extent, Mr. Uehara's. They echo a similar sentiment as A Shameful Life (or, No Longer Human, but I read the other translation). For example, from No Longer Human:
Is similar to Naoji's thoughts on his mother dying. And this other quote from No Longer Human:
Contrasted against this quote in The Setting Sun, in Testament:
Well, and Naoji's other behaviour... It was almost like reading A Shameful Life from another perspective.
Probably I'll try to read the Chinese translation of Dazai's works when I'm free.
My favourite quote from this book is from Kazuko. Fitting, I think, for someone who likes Schoolgirl more than A Shameful Life. Although I highlighted a lot from Naoji.
The bulk of Dazai's voice, so to speak, I think, comes from Naoji's letters and behaviour, and to some extent, Mr. Uehara's. They echo a similar sentiment as A Shameful Life (or, No Longer Human, but I read the other translation). For example, from No Longer Human:
“The thought of dying has never bothered me, but getting hurt, losing blood, becoming crippled and the like—no thanks.”
Is similar to Naoji's thoughts on his mother dying. And this other quote from No Longer Human:
“They were happy, the two of them. I'd been a fool to come between them. I might destroy them both if I were not careful. A humble happiness. A good mother and child. God, I thought, if you listen to the prayers of people like myself, grant me happiness once, only once in my whole lifetime will be enough! Hear my prayer!”
Contrasted against this quote in The Setting Sun, in Testament:
The night has dawned. I have made you suffer a long time.
Well, and Naoji's other behaviour... It was almost like reading A Shameful Life from another perspective.
Probably I'll try to read the Chinese translation of Dazai's works when I'm free.
My favourite quote from this book is from Kazuko. Fitting, I think, for someone who likes Schoolgirl more than A Shameful Life. Although I highlighted a lot from Naoji.
If because of love I were to swear to obey without fail these teachings of Jesus, to the very letter, I wonder if He would condemn me. Why is physical love bad and spiritual love good? I don’t understand. I can’t help feeling that they are the same. I would like to boast that I am she who could destroy her body and soul in Gehenna for the sake of a love, for the sake of a passion she could not understand, or for the sake of the sorrow they engendered.