The Stray Kids Library discussion

We will be starting “No Longer Human” by Osamu Dazai tomorrow, July 1st, 2025.
Share your thoughts with the group as you read it!

I'm quite struck by the description of the photographs of the main character, as seen by the narrator, at the beginning of the book. That the narrator has such an aversion to the expressions and poses in these photos when no one in the main character's life finds anything odd about his expressions or actions and externally he seems quite beloved to most of the people around him. It may be a bit of foreshadowing into the internal struggle of the main character and how he in fact sees himself.

Melly wrote: "I'm quite struck by the description of the photographs of the main character, as seen by the narrator, at the beginning of the book. That the narrator has such an aversion to the expressions and po..."

I agree! It was a pretty brutal description, especially for the young and old.
I’m halfway through and have also been so touched by the character’s difficulties in making any real connections. His struggles with understanding humanity in general is so harsh and real. I know someone a bit like that and have been thinking of them constantly.