No Longer Human Osamu Dazai Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ธ.ค. 2020
- This could be the greatest book in the world to one person and a complete waste of time to another. I love those kind of books! I could tell there were great aspects to this one, I just had a hard time connecting with it. Right book at the wrong time.
I didn't mention it in the review but one of my favourite scenes was the protagonist and Horiki are contemplating antonyms for certain words/ideas. Great exchange that I loved.
Um… I’m gonna try to say this In the least stigmatizing or sensationalized way possible but as a person dealing with BPD this book makes points that I genuinely felt alone on thinking. I like it more as a tool for venting rather than this profound new realization that makes everything better. If you read this book as you would a book with a profound plot or significant character development you won’t like it. Of course a Japanese man from the early 1900s will differ from a woman in 2022 in many ways, his views on women are particularly sad and yet I have always felt that men have looked at me in that same way, which can worsen my feelings of alienation and inability to connect with others especially men. The book is hard for me to recommend honestly, I don’t dislike it, I actually enjoy reading it, but the subject matter is so heavy and personal to me that I don’t think other people around me would quite get my fondness for this book. It’s a huge trauma dump, and for me that’s ok but for most I think it comes off as whiny and obnoxious, which I think is kind of the point. With BPD you get this weird nagging sense of self awareness that bites you when you realize that this self awareness is the ultimate source of your unhappiness and that unhappiness is unappealing to everyone including myself so it creates a cycle like the protagonists. It’s saddening that people like me tend to share the same fate as Dazai, but I’m happy he put it in words.
Thank you sm for this comment
im late to this video but i've been trying to find someone out there who felt similarly about Oba and the book lol. i dont understand people saying they love the book. not objecting to that, i just cant understand it given the content and context of the book and how it came off to me as self-indulgent and self-pity throughout. i just hope readers walk away understanding Dazai's conversation about how people with mental illness, whether it be depression, anxiety, etc. may view and are viewed by the world rather than just only feeling bad for a character while ignoring his lack of responsibility for those he harmed along the way, much like how people "relate" to the joker somehow lol
this was such a perfect review! yes to the Ham on Rye comparison! most of Bukowski's protagonists feel very self-indulgent in the same way that the character of Ōba is...insufferable at times, universal and relatable at others. sometimes it's nice to find the same 'dislikeable' traits in others as you see in yourself, and that's what i enjoyed about No Longer Human. not Japanese, but written by a Japanese-American-Canadian, about Japanese-Americans, is "A Tale for the Time Being" by Ruth Ozeki; it's magical and touches on some similar themes.
Thank you so much for watching! I am going to check out A Tale for the Time Being. Thanks for the recommendation:)
This was such a great review - thank you for your insight, and being honest with the right book wrong time. Really appreciate it!
WOW! It's refreshing to hear the objective [and subjective] opinion that you just shared about this book, especially one that delves into the human condition and touches on sensitive topics. I also appreciate that you acknowledged how it can be helpful for some people, but not necessarily for others. It's important to remember that not everyone will have the same experience or reaction to a particular book, and that's okay. Your review has encouraged me to consider reading "No Longer Human" myself and to approach it with an open mind. Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!
New subscriber here, hehe!
Great review man hope to see more of your reviews
Thank you! More on the way 🙂
So I don't know if I'm going to finish this comment, let alone publish it, but I'll do my best to describe my personal experience with the book. It's a pretty similar case with yours and "Ham on rye", in a sense that it came to me in a time of my life, when I needed something. When I first picked it up, I was a little biased, because of some Goodreads bad reviews, that I read, but God, the second I started it, I knew that that one was special. Now I'll do my best not to spoil much from the book. So I'm not like 30 or something like that, essentially haven't tasted life in it's entirety yet, but I do remember being a very ill child, needed to be hospitalized for a month let's say, twice a year. The doctors didn't even know what was wrong with me. Since them, my childhood wasn't the happiest, and like the protagonist, I wasn't necessarily poor, but definitely wasn't rich either. Since these early years I started feeling different from the people. Then, I needed to start living with my grandparents at 7, at the time I was almost "cured" from whatever the hell I had. However the feeling of being different never left me. When others started to talk about their parents, I realized I have nothing to say, because I pretty much grew up with my grandparents. One thing that still haunts me even today, all those years later is that from 1st to 4th grade, we had an autistic kid in class. That was the first time I came across the cruelness of this damned world. Everyone mocked the boy just because he was different. In the meantime I didn't want to, but knew that if I didn't do what other did, I would be mocked the same way. If you read the book, you would now start to find the similarities between me and Yozo, the protagonist. And if all the kids waited for the weekend just because it was a school free couple of days, I waited it, because it was the only time I could see my parents. Things got much worse, when I was 12. Having everything that happened to me until then on top, my parents got separated(they never were married). That really unlocked something in me. The first time I remember at least that I felt this darkness that everyone carries within themselves. Then I changed schools. Another shock for me, since I wasn't confident with myself, I was never able to express my true self appropriately and wasn't genuinely good with meeting lots of new people. Now I was in the big city. And since I felt deep down this emptiness, this rage, this loneliness combined with sadness, I decided that the best way for me to get in the picture was to be the "class clown".I thought exactly like young Yozo, "If I make them laugh, they'll love me and allow me to be a part of their little society. I lived with that role for years. Then the whole pandemic happened. Very depressing couple of months for me, since now without any contact I was left alone with my misery and agony. Something that I'm not proud of myself for is that it was then when I first started to hurt myslef. I thought that maybe If I have a wound, a scar something that I can see I will be able to understand the pain I felt. Still never built any parent-kid relationship with my parents, I had no one to turn to. I thought that if I was to share my problems with my friends they'll start make fun of me for acting "depressed", which naturally wasn't the way a 15-year old should feel. It got to the point where I couldn't sleep and I'm still suffering from this, I'm exhausted all the time. I had multiple suicide thoughts a day. A day... Those who felt that well know how hard it is to live with this. I felt I wasn't worthy of being a human. I lived like that for 4 months. Then I finally moved to live with my father, which was a breath of fresh air, but he soon needed to start working as international truck driver. That left me, a 16-year old alone for months. I still to this day live like this, but I guess I got used to it. Next year I'm turning 18, still have a suicide thoughts from time to time, but I feel like I've learned how to supress them. Unfortunately I can't say I'm happy. I still think a lot about the past and the fact that let's say I've never been in love with someone, I don't know if I was even able to love, since I don't even know what do I feel towards my family. But I know one thing for sure. After reading this book, which gave me goosebumps, I at least know what not to do, and I'll do my best not to end up like Dazai, whom I sympathize to a lot, since we have all those similarities. Haven't lost faith in God, and I believe that he sent me this book, just in a time when the depression started to kick again. God bless you all. This is a work of art that EVERYONE should read at least once in their life. If not for themselves, for their future children and to know how to react and more importantly how to help people that are fighting themselves. I cried, I laughed and I relived my experience, while making this review, and I hope it will inspire you to pick this amazing book. The book of my past life. Might as well publish it in Goodreads, for all the people that want to hear a honest review from the heart. Thank you for this opportunity you gave me, without even knowing!
This is honestly phenomenal. Having gone through some stuff myself, there is so much that others can try to say that ends of trite and ineffective. It takes someone with the skill to articulate our own experience to feel a special kind of resonance you describe here. Dazai undoubtedly succeeds in that. That artistic connection can mean more than a thousand therapy sessions. Thanks for sharing your experience and I'm grateful to have read it knowing this book has done so much for someone. As someone in their 30s who also adopted similar coping mechanisms in their teens, I can tell you that 17 year old me would be astonished at who 30+ year old me became given the circumstances. To good art, my friend. May you encounter it again.
@@erictheread9409 Amen! Keep the good work, man, it helps.
I disagree that is not what this book is about. “No longer human” is a book that tells the story of someone who has a complex way at looking at and understanding other human beings.
The point of the book and us following Yozo is to understand that this guy has issues that are screwed in so tight that it’s impossible to loosen the screw. Pair that with the negative and nihilistic thoughts he has he comes to the realization that their is no hope for someone like him.
Yozo struggles to find build genuine connections with others. Everyone he meets he fears and the first thing he does, almost as if it were instinct, is to people please. As an adult Yozo comes to the realization that’s he never had and will probably never have a genuine connection with someone. As he is nothing more than a clown trying to gain the applause of his audience.
Give the book another read it’s depressing but beautiful in a way.
I agree! i wish i could connect with the book in a personal way but i ended up just judging the main character for his shallowness as well as his incredible awkwardness despite claiming to be super charismatic. His misogynistic incel grindset was in the 'so bad its funny' territory for me but it for sure didn't connect with me. I dont even know if we're supposed to sympathise with him though so Im not sure thats a completely fair criticism. Stepping back I do really like his journey though, and its interesting to consider a character who just becomes a worse person over time.
im actually glad i didnt read this in middle school because i think i wouldve related. "women cringe theyre all dumb and also nobody understands me" is a mindset Im glad most people grow out of by high school.
I think 'nobody understands me' is always a weird trope. It's just a fact we all get dealt a different 'character' in life, so if you don't have things in common with someone you Can't understand them. It's not a flex to say that, it's just reality
@@ennuiblue4295 Well yeah but I also think there are people you find as you grow older that you will relate to. Even if no one is exactly the same I think theres a lot of things people have in common. Basically youre not alone. And I think the main character of this book was unwilling to see other people as his equals or even as other people worth talking to. Except for that one guy he drew emo drawings with.
Just watched this review now although I read this book a couple years ago, and I remember thinking the same things you just said, and how (I consider) this is a book like many other japanese books in which is very important to take in consideration the society to which it was aimed at. I remember it being very interesting because of that, but just like you said, it might not be to everyone's liking, it touches some really dark viewpoints and just the overall feeling of accompanying the main character throughout his decisions and the way he interacts with everything that surrounds him can be a very jarring trip. I think most characters in japanese books have a certain way that conveys to their feelings towards (their) society.
Mishima and Kobo Abé are pretty good choices ("The woman in the dunes" is currently sitting on my night table pending to be read soon) also another popular japanese author that I would recommend is Kenzaburo Ōe, particularily his novel "A Personal Matter", it would be interesting to know your thoughts on that one.
Great video as always, regards from the Dominican Republic.
You're absolutely right it's important to take into account cultural context. I touch on something similar when talking about Cixin Liu's Three Body Problem. It's funny I went through a huge Murakami phase several years ago and I know he also rubs a lot of readers the wrong way. I do intend to check out Mishima in the future if you have a title of his that stands out to you. I . . . had a really hard time with Woman in the Dunes. The initial premise really drew me in but the middle of the book really lost me, less in a confusing way and more in the fact that the character decisions and pace bothered me. I have to say that if I read No Longer Human at a different stage of my life, it would have likely been one of my favourites. I will look into Kenzaburo Oe! thanks for the input and taking the time to stop by the channel.
@@erictheread9409 I had never heard of Cixin Liu, definitely going to look him up since I’m also interested in Chinese literature. I get what you said about Murakami, I remember discussing the same thing with a friend after reading Tokio Blues, I think with most Japanese authors it’s more of a love them or hate them kind of thing, one good example could be Mishima himself, I’ve only read two of his novels so far because those are the ones which have fallen into my hands, but they are supposedly some of his less popular novels according to a lot a people for what I’ve seen, those are Life for Sale and The Frolic of the Beasts (that last one I just finished last week), but I have to say I really enjoyed Life for Sale because of the rollercoaster it turned out to be, it’s kind of like a funny and witty novel at the same time, I have yet to read his Sea of Fertility tetralogy which is some his most famous and renown work along with Confessions of a Mask, definitely going to get some of those as I was hooked with what I already read.
I will approach Woman in the Dunes cautiously then, seems like it really packs a punch. Regarding having read a book at a particular stage of life I completely get you, I’ve had some of those myself, and if I remember correctly the same applies for A Personal Matter, although I think it’s a book that really challenges your patience regarding the pace as well, but if you manage to get through some of the initial parts I find it to be a really rewarding read, hope you enjoy it whenever you read it.
Keep up the good work with the channel, really enjoying your content.
Regards.
This novel is still on my ”to read” list and this makes me even more eager to pick it up. I f you want to look into Japanese literature maybe consider eiji yoshikawa if you want some historical fiction that follows pretty well historical events (taiko, musashi), murakami (start with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle maybe...not that heavy on surrealism and also one of his most exquisite novels)...yasunari kawabata for a more traditional feel in writing...Natsume Sōseki( kokoro and Bochan specifically to start...he really influenced modern Japanese literature)..maybe Banana Yoshimoto as I find her descriptions quite fascinating.
Great review! I just finished reading this book and didn't like it as much as I'd hoped. :( Another Japanese author I recommend is Yasutaka Tsutsui, specifically the book Paprika (scifi).
You realize this is basically the mans autobiography.... the "protaganist" is the author himself!
Last book he published before him and his wife both commited suicide in their apartment
Nooooo! Dazai drowned himself finally with success on 13 June 1948, six days before his 39th birthday, together with his new 28-year-old lover and war widow, Tomië. Thus the Japanese art of "shinjuu" (a kind of Liebestod) was accomplished.
And then the women from the second notebook, I forgot her name
@@thechildinyourbasementlol2986 Tsuneko or Yoshiko?
Great review! Straightforward just like the book
I know you don't mean harm and who knows, maybe your view on this is different now after three years has passed. But I hope it's alright to point out that the way you described the protagonist shows a misunderstanding about the root of his sense of isolation and can be damaging to those in a similar position.
In my opinion, whether or not Dazai would have described him this way or not, Yozo is very clearly neurodivergent, and he has had difficulty coping with the sense of alienation he feels due to the unique way he sees the world. This perspective is fundamental to his being, which is why the story begins with those examples of the bridge and the pillow/blankets in stories about when he was a child. And the masking he does with his clownery, as well as the harm he inflicts on himself over the years, are habits that persist throughout the narrative of his short life. It's a cycle/pattern of behavior that shows this isn't just a phase he's going through. In fact, he tries to commit s**cide multiple times.
Yet the language you used here seems to blames him for being stuck in this headspace. You said he was insufferable for carrying this perspective into his adulthood as if it's a phase, when it's clearly not. The reason he struggles so much with living a normal life is because he cannot change who he is and he cannot suddenly understand or overcome his fear of people, not because he won't.
I only bring attention to this because it reflects the attitude so many people take towards those who are neurodivergent. Lack of understanding of or patience for what some people are living with leads to exasperation when they fail again and again to live up to our normalized expectations. A character like Yozo internalizes this, as well, and comes to see himself as worthless, less than human, and eventually no longer human.
the catcher in the Rye is one of my favorite books but no longer human I really did not enjoy it, as you said Holden is a teenager not just that you can see him throw out the book trying to reach out for help trying to talk with people and searching for a guide, Holden is the edgy teenagers that we all like to make fun of, forgetting that we had been teens once, his world is small and made up of certain things he witnesses that made an impression on him, I hate it him until the end of the book when he revealed information about him that he never talked about, here I was judging him laughing at him thinking I know him so well, even though I didn't really fully know him I just judged him it was a book that made me think about for weeks
Great review I've put oy short list!
Interesting. Thank you.
I once went up to the Shayokan on the stove train and saw how large his family used to live, yeah.....Dazai really was a nihilist to throw all that away. He really, really, really; did not give a fuck. Bukowski could at least sort the mail.
no longer human kinda reminded me of the bell jar by sylvia plath
Noooooo way! Holden is soooo much worse
It's been ages since I've read Catcher so I could be off. I know he's easily hated! I guess I give Holden a slight pass due to age but Oba loses none of his viewpoint into adulthood.
Here is another author to look at. I know Osamu Dazai really looked up to a auther called Aktagawa which is another Japanese Auther. Maybe you can check him out.
I love this book
dazai osamu? my fav character from bungou stray dogs
now i really want to read the book
Don't. That shit is depressing as hell.
Exactly 177 pages of the actual story
Have you read "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his years of pilgrimage"?
I have not. Would you recommend?
I went through a big Murakami phase. I loved Kafka on the Shore, Norwegian Wood, and Hardboiled Wonderland. Unfortunately I felt a little burnt out with his style when I real Wind Up Bird Chronicle and A Wild Sheep Chase. Nothing against those books as this happens to me with all authors, even my favourites. It has been years and I would be willing to dive back into more of his work.
@@erictheread9409 Yeah I understand. "Kafka on the Shore" didn't live up to my expectations either and I concluded that Murakami's style doesn't resonate with me. But that changed with 'Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki...", it's a deeply interesting read. I highly recommend it!
osamu dzai
Great review, people are usually so biased whilst reviewing this book.
Laughed out loud at the thumbnail. I described it to my gf as if Catcher in the Rye took place in Japan. Thank you for vindicating my opinion of this book.
Naw Catcher in the Rye is trash
3:33
I just found this video and I wanted to briefly express my view, as the way it made me feels is completely opposite to what most people felt.
As I was reading this book I felt more and more connected to the character. I don’t mean I had the same childhood upbringing or experiences, but as I was reading I realised Yozo Oba only wanted to be understood and taken care of.
I think most women in his life made him feel loved and cared for, but he never truly connected to them (except for the one who burned in the house).
I read it in one go and I must say - I found myself wanting to love him, care for him, and have deep conversations with him. The same way he had conversations with Dazai - the only person in the book who felt like his soulmate.
This all he ever needed.
This is why I feel sad about him. I wish I could save him...
“I Can fix him” 🤓🤓🤓
@@julesmustdi3 hahaha okay, you got me here!!
NO. JUST NO. They are to drastically different books.