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Justice with a Smile

by Osamu Dazai

A young actor’s ambition amid family hardship

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AlbakiReads Editorial

A young actor’s ambition amid family hardship

Susumu faces a choice between continuing his education and pursuing a future as an actor, while the death of his father, his mother’s illness and his older brother’s withdrawal shape the options before him. The novel is based on the diary of a real-life actor, linking its fictional coming-of-age dilemma to an actor’s lived experience. Its teenage protagonist offers a distinct vantage point on the self-destructive dynamics associated in the source with Dazai’s fiction, with ambition and survival set against family instability.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in coming-of-age fiction about ambition and difficult choices.
  • Those curious about Japanese literature and fiction connected to an actor’s diary.
  • Dazai readers interested in a teenage protagonist and family hardship.

Themes

Coming of ageActing and ambitionFamily hardshipSelf-destructive behaviorSurvival

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

A powerful novel of self-discovery from the author of No Longer Human--now available in English!

Young Susumu is at a turning point. Should he continue his education or chase his dream of becoming Japan's most famous actor? And how can he succeed with his father dead, his mother bedridden and an older brother who is a dropout?

Based on the diary of a real-life actor, Susumu's dilemma becomes a uniquely powerful tale of teenage angst and survival.This novel, translated into English for the first time, explores the self-destructive dynamics that are a hallmark of Dazai's fiction, but from a different viewpoint--that of a bright eyed teenager.

The bold, contemporary translation by Michael Day delivers an unforgettable new protagonist for Dazai's many fans.
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Customer reviews

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AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.