A review by ashtronomic
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

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

5.0

 The epitome of misery. Osamu Dazai has encapsulated the feeling of overwhelming despair into a short but eloquent novel.

If you have ever experienced depression, then you will find an uncomfortable familiarity in this book. The agony expressed within the pages is unrestrained and intense; it is easily the most raw conveyance of the most extreme depression that I have ever encountered. I was completely unsurprised to discover that the author had attempted multiple suicide attempts by the time he wrote this novel.

No Longer Human is surprisingly timeless. I knew it was a classic piece of literature when I picked up the book, but didn’t feel pulled to any particular time frame whilst reading. It is fascinating to see that the novel is currently trending with younger audiences online. Recently it has been showing up frequently on my tiktok feed; a testament to the books continuing relevance to society.

The plot itself is not particularly strong, but it fulfils its role as a vessel for Dazai’s self reflection and is a succinct companion to his thoughts on the world around us. "Imagine saying that the law was the antonym of crime! But perhaps everybody in “society” can go on living in self-satisfaction, thanks to just such simple concepts."

I believe that this book needs to be read in a very specific state of mind, readers who have never experienced such desolate feelings may not enjoy the book at all. Similarly anyone currently in their own period of depression may find the sentiment too immense. “Whenever I was asked what I wanted my first impulse was to answer "Nothing." The thought went through my mind that it didn't make any difference, that nothing was going to make me happy.”

A great read for the right person at the right time. 
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