A review by mikaylamarie
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

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

4.0

While being well written, this book is very frustrating, at least as far as the main character is concerned. Yozu undoubtedly is a sociopath trying to find the meaning of being a human being and fit in amongst that definition. However, he makes the most unhinged decisions, and they are always the wrong ones. He is not a good human being by any standards, and yet you can still empathize with how he became the way he was and the mental ambiguity he faced. 

I'd recommend this book to someone looking for a dark Japanese classic focusing on the quest of a young man to become human. But note that you'll probably hate him by the end.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings