A Shameful Life: Ningen Shikkaku or No Longer Human

By Dazai Osamu

Rating: / 5 | Language: en

Overview

A Shameful Life; (also translated as No Longer Human or Ningen Shikkaku) is a semi-autobiographical novel by Japanese author Dazai Osamu, published in 1948. The story follows the troubled life of Ōba Yōzō, a man who feels deeply alienated from society and struggles with a sense of worthlessness. Through a series of notebooks, Ōba narrates his life marked by trauma, addiction, and failed relationships. He hides behind a mask of humor and charm, while internally grappling with depression, isolation, and shame. The novel explores themes of existential despair, identity, and the conflict between public appearance and private anguish. Often considered one of Dazai's masterpieces, A Shameful Life reflects the author's personal struggles with mental illness and addiction, making it both haunting and deeply introspective.