56 pages 1 hour read

Osamu Dazai

No Longer Human

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1948

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai follows Yozo Oba, a man plagued by feelings of alienation and despair from childhood through adulthood as he struggles with self-identity, addiction, and societal expectations, ultimately leading him on a tragic path marked by self-destructive behavior and deteriorating mental health.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai offers a penetrating exploration of alienation and despair. Positively noted for its raw emotional depth and complex protagonist, some critics find its unrelenting bleakness overwhelming. While the nihilistic themes can be discomforting, the novel’s powerful prose and introspective narrative make it a compelling, albeit dark, read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read No Longer Human?

A reader who would enjoy No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai is typically introspective and interested in existential themes, similar to those found in Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground and Camus' The Stranger. They appreciate deeply personal narratives that explore alienation, identity, and the human condition.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1070L

Book Details

Genre

Japanese Literature

Realistic Fiction

Philosophy

Topics

Depression / Suicide

Mental Illness

Philosophy

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness

Identity: Mental Health

Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Period

Asian Literature