RachelAnne's Reviews > Death of a Salesman

You don't have to like it at all. But since Miller in your own words accomplished what he set out to do, and conveyed it beautifully, why a one? Dark subject matter has to be touched.

Compiling all the dimensions of a literary work into a single axis for one 1-5 star review means that by necessity when "I hated it!" butts heads with the realization that a work was well executed, one of the two is going to win out in the rating. Since this is my personal Goodreads site, not a column I'm writing professionally, I choose to weigh my preferences over my judgement of "literary merit."

That's fine. I couldn't do that though, rate something like this the same as I would "Twilight"...

The thing is, if I read something that made me feel all of the things you described, it'd be an automatic 5 stars.

You like it when a book fills you with a sense of crushing ennui, futility, emptiness and hopelessness to the point of near suicidality? Huh. For me, that's a turn-off. But if you dig all that, check out Ethan Frome. I really hated that one, too.

Have you ever read, 'The Outsider' or 'A day in the life of Ivan Denisovich'?
Now that's depressing, not as depressing a giving 'Death of a salesman' one star but then again it's your opinion.

Wow, you're an idiot. Please never give anyone else your opinion on literature ever again.

what a conflicting person you are..

Your 1 star doesn't match your review, which sounded more like a 5 star to me.

True you don't have to like but you are impressed :)
Exactly like when I watched "the boy in the striped pajama"...

@Jeremy Froncek "Wow, you're an idiot."

What a beautiful argument. Learn to brain, please.

No, he's right. You're a total dolt. If you found this book depressing you need to learn to suspend your disbelief and stop taking everything so personally.

^Am I missing the sarcasm? A great piece of literature messes you up. I'm with RachelAnne on this one--Goodreads ratings aren't for academic opinions, or quality opnions alone. They're for "How did you like it?" Some people love any book that proves of a high quality. Some people look for more gut emotive reactions. Any slant is okay.

Frankly, I think we all need to step back sometimes and read books with our guts more. You can't just use them as an intellectual exercise or brain proving ground.

I rated Death 3/5 because I appreciate the work, I appreciate that it moves me, but I don't find myself in a daze of dynamic feelings afterwards. For me, that adds up to a 3. Maybe you rate books on 'quality' and quality alone, which is fine. But don't expect everyone to read and feel in the same manner you do. That would make for a boring world.

Sorry to get involved in an internet fight.

Leave her alone, people. I completely understand her point. One star means "I didn't like it" according to Goodreads. It doesn't mean "I think it's a terrible book" nor "I don't think anyone who loves literature should love this".

Yes, Death of a Salesman certainly does leave you wanting to throw yourself in front of a train.

I felt the same way, except I love the pain this play puts me in. Every single time I read it I cry my eyes out. Arthur Miller is a genius.

@Chynna Harris Agreed, I don't see how anyone could experience ennui after reading or watching this play.

Frankly, I think we all need to step back sometimes and read books with our guts more. You can't just use them as an intellectual exercise or brain proving ground.


Very well put Johnny!

If that's what you think the play was about, then no wonder you didn't like it. The play is supposed to reflect the negative side of what the American Dream has become

Didn't even bother reading this one for school, I couldn't stand it

The point is, the book Moved you. You felt what the protagonist felt. You experienced his cruel disappointment and despair. That is what is supposed to happen when a book is well written. That's a five star review if ever I saw one.

Jocelyn wrote: "The point is, the book Moved you. You felt what the protagonist felt. You experienced his cruel disappointment and despair. That is what is supposed to happen when a book is well written. That's a ..."

No, a 5-star review is "I Loved It." Not a "I identified with the protagonist on a 5-star level."

As long as we ask people to relate to books on only an artistic, aesthetic, or merit level, books will keep on dying off as a cultural medium.

i agree with what your saying.because it seems that there wasnt much meaning left in willys or biffs life anymore mainly willy.my faviorate part in the book was the end where willy took his life.Also this book shows alot of what goes on today cause alot of people are lost and dont know what to do with them selves cause they feel that life is empty and has nothing to offer them.

Oh, I love the discourse happening here. Books that move you are great, but if you're hurting then it absolutely sucks. I can't tell you why I hated Lights Out In Wonderland but loved The Catcher in the Rye, it's incredibly subjective and personal. Sometimes literary suffering makes you confront yourself, other times it feels useless and wanky, and luckily there's something out there for everyone.

I agree with your review completely. Hated it for that reason, but even still, I admit it was a good book. Sure its a classic, but it sure leaves you in a hell of a depressed mood.

Funny I felt the EXACT same thing after seeing The Whale. A completely insufferable lead character who makes you want to jump off a tall building or at least wack yourself in the face with a mallet repeatedly for an entire evening. But the story (both) were well written.