No Longer Human

[Anonymous No.18350592]

Thoughts on this novel? Was Yōzō beyond redemption?

To me the only admirable feature of his otherwise pathetic character is his capacity for acute observation and self-examination, the gift which enables him to bring his dismal experiences to life on the page. By the time he’s an adult none of the other characters in the novel benefit from knowing him, and at least a couple of them are permanently damaged by their relations with him. If I wasn’t a determinist I’d say his life story serves as one giant warning of how not to conduct oneself.

[Anonymous No.18350619]

>>18350592
It's just another "literally me: the book", you as a normie just won't get it.

[Anonymous No.18350653]

>>18350592
Is this like steppenwolf? I’m about halfway through that and enjoy it so far. It really is one of those “wow this character is just like me” books though

[Anonymous No.18350682]

>>18350653
I suppose that it is kinda like Steppenwolf but way darker, and thus way better IMO. And people who say its literally me the book - IT IS. The name of the genre is literally I-novel, and I don't see how that's making the book bad.

[Anonymous No.18350704]

Is this his only book worth reading

[Anonymous No.18350762]

>>18350704
Nope. Some of his other works are considered classics.

[Anonymous No.18350797]

>>18350619
What makes you think I’m a normie?

[Anonymous No.18350849]

>>18350797
>determinist

[Anonymous No.18350890]

>>18350797
You're being harshly judgemental of this character instead of sympathizing with him.

Also

>By the time he’s an adult none of the other characters in the novel benefit from knowing him, and at least a couple of them are permanently damaged by their relations with him

This is the most normiesque way to judge a human's worth.

[Anonymous No.18350945]

His capacity for self-examination was a massive cope, it never helped him in any way and only made it harder for him to connect with people. It's no wonder he could only function when drunk or on morphine.
For all his self-proclaimed awareness, he was really just a pseud failure who thought he was better than others even while he was terrified of them.

[Anonymous No.18351046]

>>18350849
I wasn't aware normal people were more inclined towards a belief in determinism, but as you abound with authority and insight I'll take you at your word.

>>18350890
I agree with you actually, I acknowledge I'm being too harsh and judgemental of him in this post, but I think it comes from my greater sympathy for the characters he uses and disregards.

From the book: "No. I didn't cry ... I just kept thinking that when human beings get that way, they're no good for anything."

I was on the verge of tears at the point when he trades his alcoholism for morphine addiction. He repeatedly inspired my pity and I do identify with him in some regards.

[Anonymous No.18351697]

Do you guys think if dazai was born recently and he was american, he'd be a transwoman now?

[Anonymous No.18351720]

>>18351697
yeah

[Anonymous No.18351733]

Haha literally me except I'm a virgin and have no success with women at all haha

[Anonymous No.18351748]

Anybody that dislikes this novel should go back

[Anonymous No.18351759]

>>18350704
No, all his work is excellent. This is definitely the most popular but his short stories are his peak.

>>18351697
He'd be a litzen. If Dazai was alive today, he'd kill himself at the absolute state of the world, like DFW did

[Anonymous No.18351802]

>>18350704
Idk about others, but No Longer Human was so good that I immediately read The Setting Sun afterwards but hated it. NLH is literally me, the book, but TSS is about some whiny w*man

[Anonymous No.18351814]

>>18350592
People say that this book is depressing, but from a determinist standpoint, I found it terrifying. Despite being born into a wealthy aristocratic family, handsome, and intelligent, Yozo still ended up absolutely miserable. Goes to show the extent to which we are slaves to our own minds