A review by rosaareads
The Life of a Stupid Man by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

a short but intense piece of Japanese classic literature that leans heavily on the theme of depression.

The book contains three stories: In a Bamboo Grove, Death Register, and finally The Life of a Stupid Man, which is made up of 51 brief paragraphs. These paragraphs offer a fragmented summary of the author’s life, giving a glimpse into his thoughts and experiences. It’s worth noting that the author struggled with anxiety and depression, which really comes through in his writing.

Just a heads-up, you might want to approach this one with caution, especially if you’re not in the best headspace—it’s a heavy read.