Death of a Salesman (Penguin Classics Series)

Keeps you thinking

I read this book for an AP English Summer Reading assignment and quite enjoyed it. It was a bit hard to follow at first but once you get started you start to understand more. It's a sad but interesting story. Warning: It's not for light readers there is depth to it so it requires a bit of thinking on the readers part.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

i read it for school

Death of a salesman wow what can I say about it? It was good but very depressing and it had a lot of deep meaning and you really need to be able to read between the lines to understand it well. It was hard to fallow because it switch between memories so often. I only recommend this book if you feel like being deep, you¿re a good reader, and you really have nothing else to read. I liked but if you¿re a normal thinker and don¿t really think about what your reading then you really won¿t like this book and you shouldn¿t read it because you won¿t give it enough respect

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I read this for class

Death of a Saleman is an excellent play which everyone should read. I read it for my AP English and Composition class. There are many hidden facts and information which make the play more interesting and more complex then you may not see the first time you read it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Death of the American Dream

Though to many the play can seem dull and dreary, it cannot leave you untouched. It makes you internally search, wondering if you too are like Willy, reaching for something that will never be grasped. Willy was always searching for his own diamond, yet only in death could he find it. The play is simplistic at times, but one would have to take some serious thought in order to understand all of its aspects. You must mull over it for awhile and turn it over in your mind a few times before being able to truely understand and appreciate it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Tragic Portrayal of the American Dream

Miller's play is an intimate study of the tragedy one family faces and their singular reaction to it. The characters are so rich in their depiction of disillusionment, and they vividly exemplify the intense desire for an easier life. I thoroughly enjoyed this play.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent Drama

Miller's view on the American Dream symbolizes the culture of Willy Loman and how he reacts toward the different situations.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Review of Death of a Salesman

Death of a Salesman is a classic for a reason. It pulls the reader into the life and stress of Willy Loman. People can empathize with him, because people can see him in themselves; it is a frightening experience. It may be hard for some young students to understand - they should read it again when they turn fifty and are working in a corporate environment.

He had a good relationship with his old boss. But now that the boss' son has taken over, things have changed significantly. He stands alone, middle aged and vunerable.

When he assesses his life, he realizes that he always felt trapped in a marriage and a job he hates. He was on the road most of the time, trying to escape. But when the boss' son told him not to go back on the road, he knew he was going to be fired. He was too old to find another job. His only option was suicide.

Death of a Salesman: Book Review

This novel dramatically reveals the struggles of capitalism compared to the communist society. The characters in the play convey strong emotions as Willy, the father of the family, starts losing his sanity because of the harshness of the capitalistic system. It seems that as hard as Willy tries he can never get to be a part of the Bourgeoisie society like he dreams. His loving wife supports him throughout the play always joining in on his dreams of wealth. He has two sons, Biff and Happy, which serve as foil characters to each other since Happy supports the system while Biff does not. This play was generally easy to read and serves as an excellent novel to teach in middle schools and high schools because it helps teach about capitalism v. Marxism. Willy's passionate attitude about finding wealth keeps you interested since it causes drama all throughout the play. It is recommended to read this book especially if economic-related novels are well-favored. Either way it is interesting to see the downfalls of the capitalistic society and what it causes people to do just so they can be happy.

A must read, but not if you're already depressed

Valuable literary experience, but so profoundly depressing. Definitely not something to read while you're trying to enjoy a vacation. Don't read it until our current economic depression is over.

School Assignment

I HAD to read this book for school. It was sad and depressing with a horrible ending. I don't understand why anyone would think it is a "classic". Unless you HAVE to read it, choose another book.

ok

i just got the book today i like it...its very interesting..you just have to get into the spirit..because when i started reading it i was like what the hecc to my teacher have me reading...it keeps you guessing all the people who left ignorant reviews need to stop maybe you guys brains cant malfunction

A Revolutionary Classic

Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, is a superbly written play that typifies common misconceptions of the American Dream. Set in the 1940's in idealized suburbia, Miller ingeniously reveals that as an overriding theme as well as lessons on abandonment and betrayal. Readers witness the insecure Willy Loman slowly deteriorate mentally as his career as a traveling salesman progressively fails. His digression is seen through the interactions of his family in the house that he views as a major symbol of success, as well as in and around New York City and Boston. Linda Loman, his loyal wife, suffers through his constant disillusions and failed dreams. As Willy turns slips more and more from reality into a fantasy world created around his hopes and wishes, Linda continues to encourage his support from their sons Biff and Happy in the only way that she knows is right. Willy's retirement into the world in his mind is due mainly to his reliance on material wealth for fulfillment and the despair he feels when he can no longer provide it for his family. Therefore, Miller leads readers to reevaluate what things are most important to place value in. With the modern world increasingly leaning towards material wealth as a way to find happiness, this play is invaluable to keep readers from straying down the same path of decay as Willy Loman. Miller also offers a great deal of appeal to readers through Willy's relationships with his sons. The battle between desire to see his kin succeed and the necessity to be understanding of different desires is an epic story held together by the love of family. All readers can relate to a tale so engrossing in nature. Arthur Miller created an outstanding literary work that's universal themes earn it a status among the timeless classics.

Oh my God.

This book was probably the most agitating book I have ever had to read. I hated it. The main character, Willy, is a delusional, egotistical coward who cannot grasp the true reality of situations. He lies to himself as well as others to make himself appear better. He drives his son, Biff, away and completely ignores his loyal son, Happy. He is the man you love to hate.

For someone who has no sense of time

This book was alright. It starts out slow, not building up till the very end, when everything starts to come together and become slightly shocking, if it wasn't already forshadowed. The whole time concept of the book though was quite interesting, going back and forth through the present and the past. You had to pay real close attention to the story, you could not get through the book by just skimming through it.

So, for someone who has no sense of time, I do not recomend reading this book because you will get lost.

Very depressing--in a good way

Death of a Salesman is depressing, yes. However, it's depressing in a way that is good. I can't really explain it, unless you read it. Still, this is the greatest play ever written, and one of the greatest pieces of literature! Hooray!

Arguably the greatest American drama

It's astonishing that any reviewer would say this play is boring, or give it less than five stars. 'Salesman' is the finest play by one of the theatre's great playwrights. The characters are unforgettable, the story is compelling, the dialog is brilliant. This is a play worth seeing -- and reading -- again and again.

Well written, dramatic, and heartfelt.

I loved this book. Although, I am a sensitive person, and some of the scenes upset me enough to not want to continue- the book was realistic. It has personality, and keeps you wondering. I completely reccomend this book!

A thoughtful read

the book was average but required deep inner personal though tto fully comprehend the tragedy of willys life and death

amazing

i started reading this book in school, and like all the other reviewers who read it in school, i was at first bored to tears. however, as the play progressed, i came to see what a timeless, well-written, and unbelievably important play it is. the tale of willy loman is one we can all relate to ourselves in some way, and that is one of the signs of a truly great story.

I Barely got into it

Were reading it in my theatre arts class and were only on page 22, I am already bored with it. I've seen the movie and it bored me to tears. I do not recomend this book to anyone, unless you like books you can't get into.