The Setting Sun

New Directions Book

By: Osamu Dazai

Narrated by: June Angela

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.

All good!

Loving the app very useful however leaving a review constantly not ideal. Looking forward to my next read!

Beautiful and Sad Recording

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.

Amazing read

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

Writing and Narration Perfect

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.

Better tragedy than Shakespeare

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.