Portraying himself as a failure, the protagonist of Osamu Dazai's No Longer Human narrates a seemingly normal life even while he feels himself incapable of understanding human beings. Oba Yozo's attempts to reconcile himself to the world around him begin in early childhood, continue through high school, where he becomes a clown to mask his alienation, and eventually lead to a failed suicide attempt as an adult. Without sentimentality, he records the casual cruelties of life and its fleeting moments of human connection and tenderness. show more
This story tells the poignant and fascinating story of a young man who is caught between the breakup of the traditions of a northern Japanese aristocratic family and the impact of Western ideas. show more
Review quote
Dazai offers something permanent and beautiful. show more
Rating details
26,252 ratings
4.12 out of 5 stars
5
40% (10,501)
4
38% (10,064)
3
17% (4,401)
2
4% (1,028)
1
1% (258)
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