Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

17 reviews

kshertz's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This is a depressing read. This Japanese man writes a journal about his descent into isolation, misogyny, alcohol and drugs. The epilogue tells a very different story. 

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ye_li's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

What does it mean to be human? The book explores this question through the eyes of someone who does not understand, will never understand, and will die without knowing—what does it mean to be human? Oba Yozo is not a likable character. An intriguing, unlikeable character; I cannot help but be fascinated, though I'm certain I would detest him if I were to ever meet anyone like him. You are not your body, not your mind; not your thoughts, not your feelings; you are nothing at all, not even human.

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fairyribs's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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martuchi's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

[A FEW SPOILERS AHEAD]

I have never hated a character more than my friend Yozo here. His flaws aren’t only flaws, per se, but rather disgusting personality traits. It makes me wonder, also, as this was a semi-autobiography, whether Dazai was as shitty as the main character here. 

Yes, I understand he was severely depressed and had lots of traumas (mainly because of his childhood), yet I can’t accept what he did to the women in his life. I didn’t feel like crying, but throwing the book across the room once I read what those poor women around him went through. 

One thing I didn’t see mentioned, in fact, is that his last wife was literally 17!!!!!! —and I know it was almost 80 years ago, and those things were most.y common around that time, but I can’t accept the fact that he wanted to marry her just because she was a virgin. Period.

Anyway, the book is simply fascinating as you read through countless of weird situations caused by Yozo’s inability to communicate  —disgustingly as he is most of the time, it was enjoyable at best. I had never read this type of flawed character before, so it was an *experience*.

I would definitely recommend this book if you have a strong stomach and are willing to scream to a (kind of) nonexistent person.

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gabrielleclarke05's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I cried numerous times in the last 40 pages, not like sobbing cause it’s sad it was just dark and I felt a hole in my chest.
The books writing reminded me of “Call Me by Your Name” writing when it went on tangents and rambled which I didn’t love but it makes sense in this because it is a fractured mind speaking.
It took me a long time to get through this book because it was so grim and depressing but I’m glad I read it.
I’m conflicted on how to rate this because it was a man’s life and his feelings so I don’t want to speak on the subjects. the book is a lot more depressing when you know the author killed himself after publishing it

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pennepasta's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective 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

4.5


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marinarc's review against another edition

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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

3.75


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