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eliseiguess's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
evelyn_delivett's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sandra4's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A weird book about a man that loses his mind trying to monetize his sons lives. And he dies dreaming, like salesman.
Willy wasn't a good guy if you think about it. He was a cheater, a relatively bad father and friend. But still you feel pity for gin. He just thought what's better for everyone, even though his dreams and desires weren't the same compared to biffs dreams.
Willy wasn't a good guy if you think about it. He was a cheater, a relatively bad father and friend. But still you feel pity for gin. He just thought what's better for everyone, even though his dreams and desires weren't the same compared to biffs dreams.
lilly71490's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
yashandbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.0
My man got consumed by capitalism!
thewillowwood's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Read for 20th century drama course.
This was good! Fucked up but good.
This was good! Fucked up but good.
jp_riemersma's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aliciarutter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
readlikeanerd's review against another edition
4.0
“Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He’s not the finest character that ever lived. But he’s a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him.”
When I first approached Death of a Salesman, I did have slight reservations. I wasn’t sure whether or not the story would have much premise, or if it would just be a channel to reflect on how consumerism affected life in America in the 1940s. It does achieve the latter, but it manages to do it via an interesting story depicting the deterioration of the Loman family.
Willy Loman completely infuriated me. He lived entirely in his fantasy world and was afraid of hearing the truth, especially about his son Biff, who was always his greatest trophy. He clung to minor accomplishes – even imaginary ones – and built them up in his head to be something fantastic. It’s all very well to have dreams, but Willy’s stopped him from taking proper care of his family, and he left it to his wife, Linda, to be the support. As well as always putting his wife down, he also ruined his sons lives. He convinced them that they had to work in business like he did, but this only made them miserable, and in turn made Willy miserable too. Willy also kept having flashbacks and there wasn’t always a clear indication of when these started and stopped, so it did get quite confusing. I think these flashbacks would be much clearer if you actually watched the play. It doesn’t really hinder the story too much, and you do get used to it quite quickly.
For me, the best part of the story was Linda. I really admire women who stick with the person they love, no matter how much shit they put them through, and how often they treat them badly – and believe me, Willy treated Linda badly more than often. There were so many times I just wanted to slap him for yelling at her when she was trying to help. All she ever wanted to do was prevent her family from breaking down, but Willy just made it so damn hard. I just loved Linda, in all her determination and silent strength. She was perfect, and almost made up for her impossible husband.
I do believe that the moral of the story is still relevant today, and that Miller does a brilliant job of giving his opinion without preaching. I’d quite like to see a production of it, as I think it would make the flashbacks a lot clearer, and it is something I’d like to return to again (I mean, I’ll have to because I’m studying it at A-Level, but that’s beside the point). I’m giving it four stars simply because it didn’t utterly engross me, but I did enjoy it and find it poignant and moving in places.
“Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be? What am I doing in an office, making a contemptuous, begging fool of myself, when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am!”
When I first approached Death of a Salesman, I did have slight reservations. I wasn’t sure whether or not the story would have much premise, or if it would just be a channel to reflect on how consumerism affected life in America in the 1940s. It does achieve the latter, but it manages to do it via an interesting story depicting the deterioration of the Loman family.
Willy Loman completely infuriated me. He lived entirely in his fantasy world and was afraid of hearing the truth, especially about his son Biff, who was always his greatest trophy. He clung to minor accomplishes – even imaginary ones – and built them up in his head to be something fantastic. It’s all very well to have dreams, but Willy’s stopped him from taking proper care of his family, and he left it to his wife, Linda, to be the support. As well as always putting his wife down, he also ruined his sons lives. He convinced them that they had to work in business like he did, but this only made them miserable, and in turn made Willy miserable too. Willy also kept having flashbacks and there wasn’t always a clear indication of when these started and stopped, so it did get quite confusing. I think these flashbacks would be much clearer if you actually watched the play. It doesn’t really hinder the story too much, and you do get used to it quite quickly.
For me, the best part of the story was Linda. I really admire women who stick with the person they love, no matter how much shit they put them through, and how often they treat them badly – and believe me, Willy treated Linda badly more than often. There were so many times I just wanted to slap him for yelling at her when she was trying to help. All she ever wanted to do was prevent her family from breaking down, but Willy just made it so damn hard. I just loved Linda, in all her determination and silent strength. She was perfect, and almost made up for her impossible husband.
I do believe that the moral of the story is still relevant today, and that Miller does a brilliant job of giving his opinion without preaching. I’d quite like to see a production of it, as I think it would make the flashbacks a lot clearer, and it is something I’d like to return to again (I mean, I’ll have to because I’m studying it at A-Level, but that’s beside the point). I’m giving it four stars simply because it didn’t utterly engross me, but I did enjoy it and find it poignant and moving in places.
“Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be? What am I doing in an office, making a contemptuous, begging fool of myself, when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am!”
baguetto's review against another edition
5.0
i am just so unwell
and now i have to go to sleep after reading this like what am i supposed to do
"Why must everybody conquer the world?" ugh :(( i need a linda in my life. like this is just too real because why do we live in a society where we have to be a leader and start a business and create something and be someone extraordinary in order to be someone of value.
and now i have to go to sleep after reading this like what am i supposed to do
"Why must everybody conquer the world?" ugh :(( i need a linda in my life. like this is just too real because why do we live in a society where we have to be a leader and start a business and create something and be someone extraordinary in order to be someone of value.