The Setting Sun (New Directions Book)

AWESOME I LOVE THIS BOOK AGAIN ONE OF MY FAVORITES

The book came wrapped in plastic, which protected it from getting scratched during transportation. It came in pristine conditions almost perfect I’d say. The book is made from good quality paper as much as I can tell. The dust jacket is paper with no gloss on it just pale matte paper. Underneath the dust jacket the book itself is just black.

Love Osamu Dazai. It’s good. Although I prefer “No longer Human”

"before the war, even during the war, we were convinced of it. Since the defeat, however, we no longer trust the older and wiser heads and have come to feel that the opposite of whatever they say is the real truth about life. Revolution and love are in fact the best, most pleasurable things in the world, and we realize it is precisely because they are so good that the older and wiser heads have spiritfully fobbed off on us their sour grapes of a lie. This I want to believe implicitly: man was born for love and revolution. " I have come to realize that I just enjoy japanese fiction. This character exploration of a young woman and a society reeling from a war was brilliant. I chose that quote from this novel because I feel it shows the main author's point of the novel. But I could be wrong. The book is mostly about a person's spiritual revolution. And finding themselves even at an age that could be perceived as advanced for that type of awakening. My only negative is, I did find that the characters, motivations and actions didn't really align. Overall enjoyed this read.

going on a trip to Japan. wanted to read some stuff while there. however, started this book before I left and finished it in 3 days. lovely. mesmerizing. classic. clean. succinct. must read. can't wait to read more of his work.

What else can I say, it’s Osamu Dazai. I read the entire book in one sitting and I was entranced in the storyline. Not once did I think this book was mediocre. I’ve seen multiple people in the reviews stating that this book isn’t better than no longer human but these are just trivial statements that don’t contribute to the astounding nature of this book. It simply isn’t fair to compare two pieces of literature seemingly unrelated to one another. This book was an emotional rollercoaster and I would recommend it to anyone.

Great book. This included a good quality copy making the experience of reading it enjoyable. Recomended 100%

I could write a whole essay about how much I adore this book. Not just because it’s written by Osamu, but because of the dark themes this book possesses. I may or may not have gotten some strange and concerning looks from my teachers while reading this considering I’m in the 7th grade, but that just shows how deep and powerful the meaning behind this book is.

Sehr gut

Non ho ancora finito di leggerlo, ma per ora è molto bello

Llego en perfecto estado y rapido. Me gusto mucho. Hace poco descubri a este autor por otro libro y estoy feliz de haber seguido con este.

太宰治の「斜陽」の英訳。現代日本文学の名作をわざわざ英訳で読む必要はないが、 日本の事柄を自然な英語で表現する方法に関心があるので、日本文学の名作の英訳 はつとめて目を通すようにしている。勉強になることが多い。例えば冒頭の一文。 (原文) 「朝、食堂でスウプを一さじ吸ってお母さまが、「あ。」と幽かな叫び声をお挙 げになった」 (ドナルド・キーン訳) Mother uttered a faint cry. She was eating soup in the dining room. スープはさじ（スプーン）を使うときは eat するものだと知った。 キーンの翻訳は、冒頭の訳でもわかるように、原作の情景を平明で自然な英語で表 現している。英文として非常に読みやすい。日本独特の事物についても、 仙台平の袴を着け、→ in slightly less formal attire, 白足袋をはいておられた → but he still wore his white gloves. 足袋をはいてお見えになり → appeared in his formal costume again とあっさり訳しているが、「白足袋」を white gloves と訳したのは秀逸。 よどみなく読める名訳である。

in "the setting sun" by osamu dazai, readers are immersed in a poignant exploration of post-war japan, where the author skillfully weaves together themes of societal disintegration and personal struggle. dazai's narrative unfolds around a decaying aristocratic family, and his masterful use of symbolism breathes life into their experiences, providing a profound commentary on the clash between tradition and modernity. the atmospheric setting plays a crucial role, serving as a vivid backdrop to the characters' internal conflicts. through meticulous detail, dazai adds layers of depth to the narrative, allowing readers to feel the weight of the characters' emotions against the backdrop of a changing nation. dazai's prose is a delicate dance between evocation and melancholy. his words capture the emotional turbulence of the characters with haunting precision, creating an intimate connection between the reader and the struggles within the story. the unfolding novel becomes more than just a tale of individuals; it transforms into a mirror reflecting the complexities of the human condition in a nation undergoing profound transformation. "the setting sun" stands as a timeless classic, celebrated not only for its introspective depth but also for dazai's lyrical prose that resonates long after the final page. it is a work that invites readers to contemplate the intricacies of change, tradition, and the universal challenges of the human experience.