A review by luwalhati
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

No Longer Human was heavier than I'd expected to be, and I have no idea if it was due to my own naivety or if it was due to Dazai's vivid and realistic writing style. 

If Osamu Dazai wished to achieve this languid and gut-emptying writing, then he has done more than excellent. As I've read through the novel, more of the themes that had settled in started to penetrate me word by word.  

That being said, it is quite scary to think that I can relate to a character like Yozo. It was too frightening, to the point where I told myself to pick myself up even if his themes and motives were like mine. 

spoilers ahead from here:
In the first notebook, our main character, Yozo, already realizes that he cannot be human, lest even understand humans. It is a pouring shame into him, and he carries it out thoughout until the end of the third notebook. There are certain arcs of the story that I wish I understood better, such as the importance of Horiki's character, the implications of ghosts, and the literary references— the verses by Guy-Charles Cros mentioned as well  I believe there is more to the story than simple despair and anguish that a person can go through.
 
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