For readers looking for Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun, the two listed paperback editions are the most direct choices: the Donald Keene translation and Juliet Winters Carpenter’s new translation. A hardcover set pairing The Setting Sun with No Longer Human suits readers seeking both novels. The other two listed titles are not editions of Dazai’s book, so they are included only to clarify the difference before you choose.
| Pick | Best for | Format or distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Donald Keene translation | Readers seeking the New Directions edition | Paperback |
| Juliet Winters Carpenter translation | Readers comparing translations | Paperback; identified as a new translation |
| Dazai two-book set | Readers who also want No Longer Human | Hardcover collection |
| The Land of the Setting Sun: Book 1: Nightfall | Readers seeking a different title | Kindle edition; not Dazai’s novel |
| The Sun and the Starmaker | Readers seeking fantasy romance | Hardcover; not Dazai’s novel |
The Setting Sun, Donald Keene Translation
This paperback edition is by Osamu Dazai, translated by Donald Keene, and published as a New Directions book. It is a direct match for shoppers searching for The Setting Sun by Dazai rather than a similarly titled work.
Best for: Readers who want the listed New Directions paperback and a translation credited to Donald Keene. It is also a straightforward choice for someone who already knows they want this edition.
Consider: The listing identifies the format and translator but does not provide further edition details here. Choose the Carpenter translation instead if comparing translators is your priority.
The Setting Sun, Juliet Winters Carpenter Translation
This paperback is described as a new translation of Osamu Dazai’s novel. Juliet Winters Carpenter is credited as translator. The product name makes the translation distinction explicit, which can help readers compare this edition with the Donald Keene version.
Best for: Readers interested in a new translation or deciding which translator’s edition to read. It is a more suitable pick than the unrelated titles below when the goal is to read Dazai’s novel.
Consider: The supplied listing does not include a description of translation choices or additional edition features. Check the listing details if you need specific publication information before ordering.
Dazai Two-Book Hardcover Set
This hardcover collection is listed as a two-book set containing No Longer Human and The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai. It is not a single-volume edition of The Setting Sun; it is a choice for readers who want both titles in one collection.
Best for: Readers building a small Dazai collection or seeking both named novels in hardcover. Choose this if the second book is welcome; choose a standalone paperback if you only want The Setting Sun.
Consider: The supplied product information does not identify translators or describe the individual volumes. Confirm those details on the listing if translation or edition specifics matter to you.
The Land Of The Setting Sun: Nightfall
This Kindle edition is The Land of the Setting Sun: Book 1: Nightfall by Clay Rogers. Despite the similar phrase in its title, the supplied product name does not identify it as Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun.
Best for: Readers specifically looking for Clay Rogers’s book in Kindle format. It may appear in searches for the phrase “setting sun,” but it is not the direct choice for someone seeking Dazai’s novel.
Consider: Avoid this if your goal is to buy an edition of Dazai’s work. The listing provides no additional description here to establish a connection between the books.
The Sun And The Starmaker Deluxe Edition
This hardcover by Rachel Griffin is described in the product name as a whimsical fantasy romance beneath the stars. It is not titled The Setting Sun and is not identified as a work by Osamu Dazai.
Best for: Readers searching for a fantasy romance in hardcover, rather than a translation of Dazai’s novel. Its inclusion here helps distinguish a sun-themed title from the book named in the search.
Consider: Avoid this if you want The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai. The available product details do not provide further plot information.
Buying Guide: How To Choose An Edition
Do you want Dazai’s novel or a similar title?
Check the author and full title before choosing. The two standalone paperback listings name Osamu Dazai and The Setting Sun. The hardcover set also names Dazai’s novel, alongside No Longer Human. The Clay Rogers and Rachel Griffin books have different titles and should not be mistaken for Dazai’s work.
Which translation should you choose?
The listed standalone options credit different translators: Donald Keene and Juliet Winters Carpenter. If translator is important to your decision, compare the editions’ listing details or sample pages where available. The supplied product information does not establish which translation is preferable.
Do you want one book or a collection?
Choose a standalone paperback if you only want The Setting Sun. Choose the hardcover set if you also want No Longer Human. The listing does not provide enough information to compare the set’s translations or individual volume details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which listed book is Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun?
The Donald Keene and Juliet Winters Carpenter paperbacks are standalone listings of Dazai’s novel. The hardcover set also includes the novel with No Longer Human.
Are the two paperback editions different translations?
Yes. The product details credit Donald Keene for one paperback and Juliet Winters Carpenter for the new translation.
Is the hardcover set only The Setting Sun?
No. It is listed as a two-book collection containing No Longer Human and The Setting Sun.
Is The Land of the Setting Sun the same book?
No. The listed Kindle title is by Clay Rogers and is named The Land of the Setting Sun: Book 1: Nightfall.
Is The Sun and the Starmaker by Osamu Dazai?
No. The listing names Rachel Griffin as the author and describes the hardcover as a fantasy romance.