
No Longer Human (Paperback)
Osamu Dazai (author), Donald Keene (translator)Published: 01/02/1973

The devastating account of a young Japanese man caught between the collapse of traditional ideas and the onset of encroaching Westernisation, Dazai's short novel is an unforgettable study in alienation and submerged identity.
The poignant and fascinating story of a young man who is caught between the breakup of the traditions of a northern Japanese aristocratic family and the impact of Western ideas.
Portraying himself as a failure, the protagonist of Osamu Dazai's No Longer Human narrates a seemingly normal life even while he feels himself incapable of understanding human beings. Oba Yozo's attempts to reconcile himself to the world around him begin in early childhood, continue through high school, where he becomes a "clown" to mask his alienation, and eventually lead to a failed suicide attempt as an adult. Without sentimentality, he records the casual cruelties of life and its fleeting moments of human connection and tenderness.
No Longer Human has been adapted as a graphic novel by horror manga artist Junji Ito, made into an anime film, Human Lost, directed by Fuminori Kizaki and is the name of an ability in the manga series Bungo Stray Dogs used by a character named after Dazai.
Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation
ISBN: 9780811204811
Number of pages: 176
Weight: 211 g
Dimensions: 206 x 132 x 15 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
"No Longer Human is his masterpiece, though all his work is worthy. Dazai was an aristocratic tramp, a self described delinquent, yet he wrote with the forbearance of a fasting scribe. " -- Patti Smith
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“a good read”
its easy to understand. covers some serious subjects such as substance abuse and addiction. also suicide and sexual assault if i remember correctly. the main character is definitely a unique and bizarre personality... More
“good read”
I don't think its too difficult to understand its fairly straightforward. Honestly its one of the very few books that has made me cry. I would definitely recommend the setting sun to anyone that liked,no longer... More
“amazing and deep book”
It covers serious topics and portrays mental health and addictions very well, I don’t recommend reading it if you are in a bad place. The book is amazing and makes you think deeply about it. May the author rest in... More
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