The title outlines the plot fairly directly.

There is a salesman.

He dies.

Maybe this is the reason I hadn’t read Death of a Salesman.

It sounded depressing.

Not that I’m opposed to reading about deaths or salesmanship. I shamefully admit to reading more than my fair share of both recently, although they’ve been heavily skewed towards the fake dead girlfriend variety.

Before another Manti Catfishing ramble ensues, the question at hand last week was this: How fun would it be to read about the death of a salesman?

The answer: not too fun.

It was depressing.

Death of a Salesman was incredible and complex and fascinating, but certainly depressing.

Maybe I should have been prepared for that. Given the inherent humor in sales, I thought/hoped Arthur Miller might have sprinkled in some humor for the Loman family.

He didn’t.

Death of a Salesman magnificently demonstrates the fundamental challenges in sales:

• Self-confidence v. Self-delusion
• Managing Rejection & Indifference
• Perseverance
• Optimism

Death also illuminates the human condition, Change and the complexities of Family. Each character in the Loman family comes to understand the worst lies are the ones you tell yourself.

Bottom Line: Death of a Salesman is a classic for a reason. While I have zero interest in reading it again, I’m sure glad I did.

Categories: Libro 52 Challenge

Tags: Arthur Miller, Book review, Death of a Salesman, Fake dead girlfriend, Indifference, Libro 52, Manti Te'o, Rejection, Sales