Book Log 2024

Remaking this because I deleted something. These forums are strange!

I have read ninety three books this year. I need a place to log new ones sans my Notes app. My goal is hitting one hundred before next year.

Trying this again.

93. No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

Well, I have a lot to say about this one. It's complicated, really.

So the matter that stands out most here is Dazai’s relentless dissection of self-loathing. It's so raw it feels like you're being handed a piece of his soul, and you don’t know whether to hold it or throw it away before it seeps into you. But, I will break it down: is this a book about alienation, self-destruction, or a scathing critique of society? The answer is yes to all, unfortunately.

It's all in the brilliance of Yozo. He is not a likable protagonist, and he doesn’t try to be. He’s slippery, dishonest, and pitiful, yet you can’t look away. His self-awareness is almost grotesque. He knows his flaws, lays them bare, and yet does nothing to stop the inevitable trainwreck of his life. I think it’s fascinating and uncomfortable. His relationships are as much about his failures as they are about theirs. Let's be real though; he only uses people. That is everything he does.

And here’s where the book twists the knife: you catch glimpses of Yozo in yourself. Dazai makes sure of it. It’s not a comfortable mirror to stare into, but it’s there, unavoidable. No Longer Human thrives in that discomfort.

The pacing does falter. At times, it feels like you’re trudging through Yozo’s misery without a clear sense of where it’s leading. It’s part of the point I think. Life as a series of disconnected failures. There are moments where the narrative drags, especially as the story continues. It's not too bad, but it's obnoxious.

The women in Yozo’s life, too, are more archetypes than fully fleshed characters. They’re vessels for his self-loathing, yes, and that makes them feel flat. While that reflects Yozo’s inability to connect, it also limits the emotional depth of every relationship. I didn't find myself liking any character in this book. They were all either extremely unlikable or just plain boring. It's intentional, but I still don't enjoy it no matter what. Characters are barely ideas of people.

Do I recommend it? Only if you like challenging, uncomfortable literature.

Don’t read this book expecting answers. It’s not here to guide you, solve you, or comfort you. This isn’t a book you finish and feel "good" about. It is not something I would willingly pick up again, but it was interesting. Compelling, even.

For every book you read, create a topic in this and tell everyone about the interesting things in that book. Wow, that's awesome just thinking about it.