Horror
No Longer Human
A man writes three notebooks about his life, describing how he has pretended to be a clown to hide his fear of other people. His years of drink, debt and failed attempts to belong gradually wear him down.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1948
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 177
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like short, bleak literary fiction about alienation, told in a raw, confessional voice.
Skip this if you are in a fragile place or want a hopeful book, as it is relentlessly sad.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about No Longer Human
- What is No Longer Human about?
- A man writes three notebooks about his life, describing how he has pretended to be a clown to hide his fear of other people. His years of drink, debt and failed attempts to belong gradually wear him down.
- Who should read No Longer Human?
- Read it if you like short, bleak literary fiction about alienation, told in a raw, confessional voice. Skip it if you are in a fragile place or want a hopeful book, as it is relentlessly sad.
- How long and how fast is No Longer Human?
- It is a slow-paced, short read of about 177 pages, first published in 1948.
- Does No Longer Human have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Suicide, Addiction, Mental illness.
- Can I borrow No Longer Human for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends No Longer Human; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after No Longer Human?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Bell Jar, The Stranger, Convenience Store Woman.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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If you loved No Longer Human
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The Bell Jar
Another confessional novel about a narrator who feels disconnected and slowly loses her grip.
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The Stranger
A short, spare novel about a man who cannot perform the feelings others expect of him.
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Convenience Store Woman A lighter, drier Japanese story about someone who does not fit social norms.
Horror