Reviews - Death of a Salesman

3.32k reviews for:

Death of a Salesman

Arthur Miller

3.46 AVERAGE

nootiful's review against another edition

5.0

Not a book of course but still a fantastic read. Very pertinent today. Always thought it was more of a 50s/60s play so I was shocked to find out it was 1949

annazarra1111's review against another edition

5.0

It's a classic for a reason

giannalovesreading's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

pen_to_paper's review against another edition

4.75

challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

luci_liest's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 51%

I never "do not finish" a book. Well... hardly ever. I always want to know how a story ends once I started it, and that urge is usually greater than my dissatisfaction with a story. But this one was such a bore, it was truly tormenting. And so, after many second chances, I gave it up. On top of the boredom, it was also very confusing. I honestly don't know how it became a classic. Maybe it's better when seen onstage (although I'm sure that depends a great deal on the production).

1/10.

laurence_s07's review against another edition

4.0

eesh this is good stuff
i’ll automatically like any tragedy but yeah this is fire
gatsby type american dream going on here too

skullcutter02's review against another edition

3.5

dark reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I can see why this play is so revered. It is written in a time where many people can't find meaning in their lives following the post war disillusionment. The story is quite simple but the vivid characters and its relatability (mostly through Biff imo who was supposed to be a promising footballer only to flunk math) heightens its ultimate tragedy.

Willy is an utterly unlikeable man whose actions alienate everyone around him and he's just a slob of waste merely occupying space. He needs no redemption and his ultimate suicide is freeing.

Techniques wise, I liked how detail Miller goes into describing the setting, the characters' emotions, even down to the smallest music cues. He also does interesting things with time, integrating flashbacks and hallucinatory episodes. Reading these disruptions in time, despite not seeing it on stage or on film, still creates a unique effect.