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56 pages 1 hour read

Osamu Dazai

No Longer Human

Osamu DazaiFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1948

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Book Brief

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Osamu Dazai

No Longer Human

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1948
Book Details
Pages

176

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Japan • 1930s

Publication Year

1948

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1070L

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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.

Melancholic

Unnerving

Dark

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.3

198,786 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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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.

4.3

198,786 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

176

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Japan • 1930s

Publication Year

1948

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1070L

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