The Setting Sun Audiobook By Osamu Dazai cover art

The Setting Sun

New Directions Book

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The Setting Sun

By: Osamu Dazai
Narrated by: June Angela
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This powerful novel of a nation in social and moral crisis was first published by New Directions in 1956 - and now, for the first time, is available in audio, with the spellbinding narration of June Angela.

Set in the early postwar years, it probes the destructive effects of war and the transition from a feudal Japan to an industrial society. Ozamu Dazai died, a suicide, in 1948. But the influence of his book has made "people of the setting sun" a permanent part of the Japanese language, and his heroine, Kazuko, a young aristocrat who deliberately abandons her class, a symbol of the anomie which pervades so much of the modern world.

©1956 New Directions Publishing Corp. (P)2020 New Directions Publishing Corp. Classics Fiction Historical Fiction World Literature War
Beautiful Imagery • Mesmerizing Characters • Excellent Symbolism • Moving Story
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Loving the app very useful however leaving a review constantly not ideal. Looking forward to my next read!

All good!

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I am not a fan of Japanese literature simply because it is Japanese. I am a fan of good literature. This is good literature. Please set aside time to read it. The narrator is very good and easy to listen to. The story is excellent.

Better tragedy than Shakespeare

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Dazai Osamu truly writes characters in a mesmerizing way, and June narrated this book perfectly.

a worthwhile read in every sense.

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That is all. More of this master's works to explore the human condition. Thank You.

MORE OSAMU DAZAI TRANSLATIONS PLEASE!!!!!

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The story is sweet and tragic. the story is sad and entertaining. You struggle with the characters and live through them. You pity their struggle,but you envy their place. Though much time has passed the lives of aristocrats in a far away place is not much different than the middle class of today.it is pitiful but you envy the place they live

Simpleand complex all in one

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The Narrator has a real empty, sorrowful, and monotone expression, as someone who is tired and wishing for change, the ending really touched me personally, in a hopeful way.

Beautiful and Sad Recording

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The imagery in Osamu Dazai’s writing is so beautiful. This is a very well written story and a bittersweet read.

Amazing read

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Excellent from start to finish. If you've never suffered from addiction, insecurity &/or self doubt, suicidal thoughts, morality, family, etc... you may say there is no story here. You may also be a sociopath.

Writing and Narration Perfect

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tbh i started this because of bungo stray dogs, but i stuck around for the good story. it’s not a happy one, and there are times where i questioned the purpose of the book. but as i reached the end, i felt for the main character, and i almost wish there was more to read

i really enjoyed this

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This was a very moving story with excellent use of symbolism and imagery. As in most of his books, I felt a profound sadness at his writing, but it’s a beautiful thing too. Dazai will always be one of my favorite authors because he writes from the heart.

Another great work by Osamu Dazai!

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