“No Longer Human” is a quick read, but may not be easy for all the story does include heavy topics like depression, suicide, physical and emotional abuse and alcohol and drug abuse. Both are considered to be modern day classics in Japan.ĭazai was ultimately consumed by depression and anxiety when he died by suicide in 1948 shortly after releasing “No Longer Human” Some conspiracists and fans of the author believe that the novel serves as a last reflection of his life and a final goodbye. “No Longer Human” is Dazai’s most popular work published in 1948, followed by “The Setting Sun” as his second most popular novel published in 1947. The story in the book is believed to be an autobiographical projection of the author Dazai’s life the tragic events that occurred in Yozo’s life mirror some of the troubles that Dazai faced during his lifetime and Dazai doesn’t try to hide the similarities between himself and Yozo at all. Living without a reason to exist and feeling like life is nothing more than just existing as everything passes, Yozo ultimately feels unqualified to identify as human. Yozo hides his true self by masking himself as a clown and views humans as a completely different species that he cannot relate to. Since his childhood, Yozo has always felt an intense detachment from humans he is unable to understand or connect with the rest of humanity and is incapable of expressing his emotions. Set in the 1930s in Japan, the novel chronicles the sorrow, alienation and destruction of Oba Yozo through three notebooks, in a first person perspective that allows readers to enter the dark mind of Yozo. Although it may seem utterly daunting and dark, it’s worth the read as it is beautifully written and leaves an indelible impression.
The 1948 Japanese classic is the second best selling book in Japan, and more importantly, holds the prestigious title as my favorite book. From the introduction to the last word of the 176 page book, the main character Yozo’s life seems to have begun its decay the moment he was born as each page reveals the tragedies of his life. Osamu Dazai’s second and last novel “No Longer Human” is a remarkable, poignant and thought-provoking story that leaves readers pondering the complexities of humanity. Kory Delkamiller’s class to read it for a second time. Hannah Cusick ’23 takes a break during Theology after finishing her homework.
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