Scan barcode
A review by hsyddy
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's against everything I expect in a book of fiction - barely any plot development, minimal world-building (everything was set in Japan so technically speaking, the place setting does exist) but for some reason, I was hooked from start to finish. I read the book knowing it was depressing (even the translator warned in his note that this was not a cheerful book), but the entire story was somewhat poetic and completely monotonous.
But then again, it is a journal. Hence, the book was written how journals are; it revolves more around the character's inner world (i.e., his thoughts and feelings) rather than the world around him.
As for the manner of writing, not sure how the book is in Japanese, but its translation describes exaggeratedly and wordily. Not that I mind, but some paragraphs (that actually was describing one thing and consist of only one sentence) was a tad bit too long that I had to reread it to fully grasp what the character was thinking.
The first several chapters made me think that No Longer Human was referring to how human beings hide their true nature in being selfish and greedy behind a deceptive front. As I read further towards the end, I realised No Longer Human was actually referring to him being labelled as "no longer human" as he attempted suicide and struggled to go through life. It's even more tragic since this was set in Japan - a country that still stigmatises and shuns mental health struggles.
The book does have its charm. There were plenty of questions and statements that were reflective.
The game of 'comic or tragic?' and finding out the antonym of things were undoubtedly my favourite part.
To this moment, I'm still thinking about what the antonym of crime is.
For a book that was first published at a time when mental health was a topic considered taboo, it must've taken a lot of courage to be producing this.
Yozo is still young, and so kind to be putting immense effort into invariably lighting up the ambience and people around him.
I hope he recovers.
I know we'd get along so well.
But then again, it is a journal. Hence, the book was written how journals are; it revolves more around the character's inner world (i.e., his thoughts and feelings) rather than the world around him.
As for the manner of writing, not sure how the book is in Japanese, but its translation describes exaggeratedly and wordily. Not that I mind, but some paragraphs (that actually was describing one thing and consist of only one sentence) was a tad bit too long that I had to reread it to fully grasp what the character was thinking.
The first several chapters made me think that No Longer Human was referring to how human beings hide their true nature in being selfish and greedy behind a deceptive front. As I read further towards the end, I realised No Longer Human was actually referring to him being labelled as "no longer human" as he attempted suicide and struggled to go through life. It's even more tragic since this was set in Japan - a country that still stigmatises and shuns mental health struggles.
The book does have its charm. There were plenty of questions and statements that were reflective.
The game of 'comic or tragic?' and finding out the antonym of things were undoubtedly my favourite part.
To this moment, I'm still thinking about what the antonym of crime is.
For a book that was first published at a time when mental health was a topic considered taboo, it must've taken a lot of courage to be producing this.
Yozo is still young, and so kind to be putting immense effort into invariably lighting up the ambience and people around him.
I hope he recovers.
I know we'd get along so well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death and Drug abuse
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, and Misogyny