Schoolgirl

An adolescent girl narrates a single day of her life in an existential masterpiece that plumbs the depths of what it means to be a forming person in a fomenting society. This collection gathers six of Osamu Dazai's finest stories, written during the Second World War into a period of intense nationalism, quietly unpicking the concepts of the patriotic, productive, and moral self. Alongside the title novella, which rocketed Dazai to fame on its 1939 publication, are tales of a woman bidding farewell to her counterfeit-profound artist husband and a plain young woman who steals a bathing suit for a handsome friend, only to be ostracised for refusing to be shamed. Newly translated by Polly Barton, this volume is a perfect introduction to one of Japan's most beloved writers.

Why You Should Read?

• Includes the famous novella 'Schoolgirl', the work that first brought Dazai widespread acclaim in 1939.
• Offers a rare window into Japanese life and inner conflict during the Second World War era.
• Features Polly Barton's fresh, acclaimed new translation, ideal for first-time Dazai readers.
• Explores alienation, identity, and quiet rebellion with Dazai's signature emotional honesty.

About the Author

Osamu Dazai (1909-1948) was one of Japan's most celebrated twentieth-century writers. Born in Aomori, he became known for autobiographical, confessional fiction exploring alienation, depression, and the human condition. His best-known works include 'No Longer Human' and 'The Setting Sun', both enduring classics of Japanese literature. His writing, marked by wit, melancholy, and piercing self-examination, continues to resonate with readers worldwide.
Polly Barton is a translator of Japanese literature whose acclaimed translations include works by Aoko Matsuda and Natsuko Imamura. Her translation of 'Schoolgirl' has been praised for capturing the restless voice of Dazai's adolescent narrator.