Death of a Salesman (Penguin Plays) by Arthur Miller
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Book Reviews of Death of a Salesman (Penguin Plays)
Book Review: A modern masterpiece and Miller's greatest work
Summary: 5 Stars
Death of a Salesman is a modern masterpiece; and Arthur Miller's greatest work I have yet to come across. The characters, although strange and sometimes deplorable, are some of the most interesting I have seen.
Willy Loman, an average man haunted by everyone and everything in his life, is a wonderfully deep character. Miller's skills shine brightly in this character alone. I actually backtracked at one point and realized that within the span of a couple pages I had gone from absolutely despising Willy to completely sympathizing with him.
Happy and Biff are both interesting characters as well. It's obvious from the beginning that they share both a deep bond and several characteristics. Their relationships with Willy, while hugely different, are also wonderfully intertwined. The fact that they are both womanizers only helps to add to their allure.
To be completely honest, I actually had trouble writing this review. Simply put, it's one of the most profound and affecting pieces of literature I have ever had the great pleasure of reading. Almost every character could supply hours of thought and discussion. This is truly a must read for anyone and everyone.
Book Review: The jewel of American literature.
Summary: 5 Stars
Probably the most important drama of American literature along with the "Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams. This is an American treasure.First of all this is a tragedy in the sense of the Greek tragedy. And since the Greek times no writter had ever managed to write a tragedy of that caliber (Shakespeare excluded). The only difference is that it takes place in America in the middle of the 20th century and the characters involved are working class Americans.
Arthur Miller takes the American society, rips it apart in pieces and then observes it under the microscope. Then he writes his notes on a book and from that he creates characters. Tragic characters that walk, beyond their apprehension, to their destruction in this case, to salvation in other cases. Characters so deep, deeper than life, so real, as real as life. They rip apart each others hearts through the entire lenght of the drama.
Needless to say that the play has been translated in literally all languages. For example in Greece it almost has never been a year that this play has not been performed by some theatrical group.
A masterpiece, an achievement of the mankind.
Book Review: More meaningful now then ever.
Summary: 5 Stars
In an era where most of us start our adult lives with a car loan, mortgage and credit card debt this book is more meaningful then ever.It tells the story of Willy Loman and his family. Willy has been selling furniture for a company for 35 years but is having trouble going on the road any longer because he's not getting any younger. Willy engages in a desperate struggle where he tries to provide for his family while keeping alive his dignity and in the end, realizes that he's worth more dead than alive (life insurance).
For most of us, this book speaks volumes about our lives. By the time we're finally ahead, its all over. Willy's interaction, or lack of it, with his son Biff is also interesting from a father-son aspect. Willy wants Biff to achieve at goals that Willy isn't going to be able to attain. Biff is too much like his father to ever attain those goals. Willy and Biff get along famously while Biff is in high school but their relationship changes dramaticaly when Biff catches Willy in a disgraceful situation.
This book is a must-read for just about anyone. As a matter of fact, it should be required reading for every person in this nation.
Book Review: A fine dream; the wrong approach.
Summary: 5 Stars
Death of a Salesman is a moving play that touches the most human of our sentimental emotions. In it, a father suffers from neglect from his own family and from his coworkers, eventually leading to his demise. In it, a man has what many would consider the perfect family, with a devoted wife and two strong, capable, and loving sons, but is unable to cope with it all because of his preoccupation with other, more materialistic achievements. Willy Loman possessed his own version of the American Dream: that of the glorified salesman, with a face known across town and respected among peers. And he held onto this dream even after his prime had passed, even after his health started to fail him; even then, he tried to force this dream on his sons, with unfortunate consequences. The play carries a message speaking out against the pursue of materialistic gains, and urges instead for people to focus on the more immediate pleasures of life, such as the joys of family and love. Miller employs a simplistic diction and engaging imagery, along with an overlap of reality and hallucinations to provide a tale that not only entertains but also imparts a lesson in life.Book Review: Superb look at the Human Condition
Summary: 5 Stars
This classic play by Arthur Miller (1915-2005) examines human failure, high expectations, and the dark side of the American Dream. Willie Loman is an aging salesman whose figures have fallen to the point where he no longer makes a real living. Not only is his job in jeopardy; so is his family and self-worth. Loman reacts by deluding himself, living in the past, and by holding his sons to unrealistic expectations. Miller does a superb job in presenting a broken man sliding downwards. Such occurs in the sordid race of materialism and corporate success - one that leaves many broken souls in its path. Willie needs to face reality, and mend himself and his struggling family (and his family should help him too), but Miller's powerful script doesn't go there. Instead we have a deluded, beaten man sliding into mental illness - and worse.
Miller penned this play in 1949, as the USA was moving into postwar changes and a more suburbanized, corporate society. This play about the brutish world of expectations, materialism, and the illusive American dream is as much on target today as in 1949.