The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai
Hello Bookworms,
Here I am again with another existential book's review.
When I first read The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai, I felt a deep sadness. The story is about a family that was once rich and respected but now struggles to survive. It made me think about how life can change so quickly, and how difficult it is to accept that things will never be the same again.
The novel is told from the perspective of Kazuko, a 29-year-old woman who used to belong to an aristocratic family. She once had a comfortable life, but now, after World War II, everything is different. Her father has died, her brother Naoji is missing, and she and her mother have lost their wealth. They can no longer afford to live in Tokyo, so they move to the countryside.
Kazuko tries to adjust to her new life, working in the fields and calling herself a "coarse woman." But deep down, she feels lost. She remembers the past, when life was easier, and struggles to accept the present. Her mother, who represents the old aristocratic values, refuses to believe that their way of life is truly over. She still acts with grace and dignity, even though they are now poor.
Then, one day, Naoji returns. But he is not the same. He was once a bright and hopeful young man, but now, he is addicted to opium and drinks too much. He is cruel to his mother and sister and spends most of his time with writers and intellectuals in Tokyo. Kazuko finds his Moonflower Journal, where he writes about his pain, his addiction, and his disappointment with the world. His words are full of sadness and anger. He feels trapped between his aristocratic past and the new society that no longer respects people like him.
"The more I regretted, the more certain it seemed that the future had in store for us only horrible, evil things."
Naoji’s words made me think about how hard it is to let go of the past. He sees no future for himself, and instead of trying to move forward, he chooses self-destruction. His suffering is painful to read because it feels so real.
One of the biggest themes in the book is waiting. Kazuko, Naoji, and their mother are all waiting—for something to change, for happiness to return, for a future that may never come. Kazuko even says:
"To wait. In our lives we know joy, anger, sorrow and a hundred other emotions, but these emotions all together occupy a bare one percent of our time. The remaining ninety-nine percent is just living in waiting."
This line really stayed with me. It made me wonder how much of my own life is spent waiting for things to get better instead of taking action.
As the story continues, Kazuko writes letters to Uehara, a novelist who was once a friend of her brother. She tells him that she loves him and wants to have his child, even though she knows he is an alcoholic. She dedicates her letters to M.C., which she first calls "My Chekhov" and later "My Child." She believes that by having a child, she can create a new life, free from the old traditions and restrictions.
But Uehara does not respond. This silence makes Kazuko’s loneliness even deeper. She is searching for something to give her life meaning, but no one seems to care.
Meanwhile, her mother becomes sicker and is diagnosed with tuberculosis. Kazuko takes care of her, but she knows that death is coming. One day, she sees a black snake on the porch. She remembers that when her father died, there were snakes everywhere. Snakes, in this story, seem to be a sign of death and misfortune. Not long after, her mother dies.
This moment was heartbreaking for me. Her mother, who always tried to hold on to the old ways, is now gone. Kazuko is truly alone.
Then, the worst happens Naoji takes his own life. He leaves a letter for Kazuko, explaining his reasons. He says he cannot escape his aristocratic background, and he feels weak. He rejects all ideologies capitalism, communism, aristocracy because he believes they all suppress the individual. He sees no place for himself in the world.
"Life is too painful, the reality that confirms the universal belief that it is best not to be born."
Reading this line, I felt a deep sadness. Naoji could not find a way to survive, and instead of fighting, he gave up. His death is a powerful moment in the novel, showing the ultimate cost of despair.
But unlike Naoji, Kazuko does not give up. She finally meets Uehara, and she becomes pregnant with his child. In her final letter, she tells him that she will raise the child alone. She no longer believes in the old morality and wants to create her own way of life. She calls Uehara M.C. one last time, but now it means "My Comedian." This change shows that she no longer sees him as a great figure in her life just another flawed human being.
Kazuko’s decision is powerful. She refuses to let the past control her, and she chooses to move forward, even if it means going against society’s expectations.
The Setting Sun is a sad and emotional novel. It made me think about how difficult it is to accept change, how easy it is to fall into despair, and how hard it is to move forward. Osamu Dazai’s writing is simple but powerful, making me feel the loneliness and pain of his characters.
Kazuko’s journey is one of survival. She loses everything her wealth, her family, and her old way of life. But in the end, she makes a choice to live on her own terms. Her story is tragic, but it also has a sense of hope.
Naoji’s story, on the other hand, is heartbreaking. He cannot escape his past, and his despair leads him to destruction. His words, full of sadness and frustration, stayed with me long after I finished the book.
One of the most thought-provoking lines in the novel is:
"Learning is another name for vanity. It is the effort of human beings not to be human beings."
This made me question whether knowledge truly helps people or only makes life more complicated. Naoji, Uehara, and the other intellectuals in the book seem to suffer because they understand the world too well.
In the end, The Setting Sun is a story about loss, survival, and change. It is about how hard it is to move forward when everything around you is falling apart. But it is also about the power of choice. While Naoji chooses death, Kazuko chooses life. This contrast makes the novel even more impactful.
This book left a deep impression on me. It made me reflect on my own life, my struggles, and how I deal with change. It is not just a story about post-war Japan it is a story about human emotions, something that everyone can relate to.
Hope you enjoyed reading.
Thank you for your time...
