No Longer Human
No Longer Human by 太宰治, published by New Directions Publishing in 1958, is a poignant exploration of alienation and identity. This edition spans 177 pages and is presented in English. The narrative follows the protagonist’s life, marked by feelings of shame and a profound disconnect from humanity. Through his experiences from childhood to adulthood, he grapples with his inability to understand those around him, ultimately leading to a failed suicide attempt.
Readers will find a raw and unfiltered account of the protagonist’s struggles as he navigates the complexities of human relationships and societal expectations. The book delves into themes of psychological turmoil and the quest for belonging, reflecting on the casual cruelties of life alongside fleeting moments of connection. As a significant work in 20th-century literature, No Longer Human remains a vital piece in the canon of world literature, resonating with contemporary issues of identity and societal norms.
Official synopsis Publisher
Mine has been a life of much shame. I can’t even guess myself what it must be to live the life of a human being.
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. His 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.
Still one of the ten bestselling books in Japan, No Longer Human is an important and unforgettable modern classic: “The struggle of the individual to fit into a normalizing society remains just as relevant today as it was at the time of writing.” (The Japan Times)
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