This book was such a good but emotionally difficult read for me. Coming off of The Midnight Library, I feel almost stunned. The writing goals of the authors are vastly different (clearly), and it's interesting for me to love both books for such different reasons. I was tempted to discount my enjoyment of The Midnight Library after this read, but I decided against it at this time.
The ways in which mental health and depression are treated in Dazai's novel 💔 – so blunt and painful and hopeless. And very visceral.
I really enjoyed (idk if that's the right word, but it's the best I've got at the moment) Dazai's use of the clown as a visual motif (for Yozo) – its decreasing use as Yozo continued on his journey was something I noted too.
What a heartbreaker this one is! If you are ready to delve into something heavy, I recommend giving this a try! It felt to me like walking deeper and deeper into a cave – halfway realizing there was no way out (but continuing forward anyway).
HUGE TW for suicide, depression, substance abuse, and sexual assault.
by cassiebee808