No, this isn't about Osamu Dazai, the character from the anime Bungo Stray Dogs. Although, he was inspired by the bestselling Japanese author. Anime Dazai's ability is, in fact, called No Longer Human. So, you get the idea.
Published in 1948, No Longer Human remains as one of the Top 10 bestselling novels in Japan. It is only succeeded by Natsume Soseki's Kokoro, a masterpiece that continues to inspire Japanese authors to date.
When I first found out about No Longer Human, I had no idea about the author, content, or context. Repeatedly, I saw readers gushing about the novel and how it was the 'most depressing novel you will ever read', and, well, it is morbid, but not in the way I expected.
Book Review
Yozo, the protagonist, is pitiful from the very first instance, which is the prologue. The book is a collection of three notebooks written by Yozo that the author of our novel chances upon as fate would have it. And, he proceeds to publish them. The prologue sets the mood for the novel with a pitiful introduction to Yozo through a series of photographs.
Ever since he was a child, Yozo has had a warped idea of the world, human beings, and 'society'. He never could stand up for himself or speak against another. He remained, till the very end, a classic people pleaser. There is a disjointed sense of reality in his narration. Everything that happens to him, seems to be a direct and literal consequence of his actions. No Longer Human is morbid because you know, from the very first line, "Mine has been a life of much shame", that it's not going to end well for Yozo. His friendships, romances, and acquaintances all come to pass one by one, leaving a bittersweet taste.
This here is a jarring text reflecting despair that never finds closure. I could not get to the heart of it and that could be because I missed the context. However, I believe that Dazai is a definite must-read because his writing style is unique. It was my first time encountering such self-deprecating ideas and opinions that don't necessarily find a resolution. I am going to venture into post-war Japan to understand more about the mindset of young Japanese men and women to fully grasp the context of No Longer Human. But, until then, it remains as a most confusing read, one that will make you curious to learn more.
This is part of a series titled "My Year In Books: 2022". Find more here.
Disclaimer: Opinions are mine, and mine alone.
Make sure to grab a copy at your local bookstore!
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