Death of a Salesman

 Salesmen are always trying to be upbeat in a job that can really test one's self confidence.  As a salesman with many self doubts, a play titled "Death of a Salesman" (1949) can be pretty scary.  It actually has been years after retirement that I have tackled this play although I spend a lot of time reading literature of one sort or another.  As a working man I read lots on how to sell more, and build self confidence.

We are introduced to Willy Loman after he has cut short a sales trip.  We learn that he has enjoyed traveling in the past.  His wife is very loyal and supportive.  His success has been limited and they are in debt.  He talks loudly.

We learn he is not doing as well as he once had.  We also learn that while lonely out of town he at least once gave in to temptation. His eldest son, Biff who had just failed an important school test caught his father with a woman.  Eventually we realize this was so upsetting that his Biff gave up trying to rectify his failed test.  A further repercussion was he did not get into college and ended up drifting through life.

Willy decided to confront his boss who was the son of the original boss.  He felt squeezed financially and wanted to change his work conditions.  He felt the son was obligated to help him, but the son had his own constraints and suggested Willy take a break.  This only exasperated Willy.  At the same time his son Biff had some expectations of improving his situation, but in fact he was also very disappointed.  Willy and his two sons met at a restaurant and some of the disappointments were aired.

One financial pressure on Willy was a premium for an insurance policy, but making that a priority he came up with the money borrowing from friends.  A lot of feelings were aired and at one point Willy left with the car and we are led to believe killed himself.  At the funeral we become even more conscious that Willy did not have many friends left.   

 Arthur Miller was an established playwright when he met with an uncle who had been a salesman (a year or two after World War II.  He was not a happy man and committed suicide about two years later.  Miller had two other salesmen friends who killed themselves.  He had been invited to testify before the House of UnAmerican Activities Committee, but was convicted after refusing to name any writers or others.  He has won both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for "Death of a Salesman".  He has 123 writing credits plus 4 for acting and 1 for additional crew including "An Enemy of the People" (1966 and 1978) and "The Misfits" (1961).  Famously married to Marilyn Monroe he wrote "The Misfits" for her, but shortly after they divorced.

Volker Schondorff was the director.  His background was in Germany where he had directed operas.  He won an Oscar with "The Tin Drum" (1979).  He has 48 directing credits, 29 for writing and 17 for producing.

Alex North composed the music.  He won music scholarships for Julliard and the Moscow Conservatory.   His first film work was scoring documentaries for the Office of War Information.  He went onto get nominated for 13 Oscars.  He has 88 composing credits and 44 for the music department including for "Spartacus" (1960), "The Misfits: (1961) and "The Agony and the Ecstasy" (1965).

Michael Ballhaus was the cinematographer.  He has 133 cinematography credits plus 6 for directing and 6 for acting including "What About Bob?" (1991) and "The Age of Innocence" (1993).

David Roy was the editor.  He has 37 editor credits plus 4 for the editorial department and 3 for the sound department including "The Taking of Pelham One, Two Three" (1974).

Dustin Hoffman played Willy Loman.  He recalls that as a youngster "Death of a Salesman" was the first play he ever read.  He has won 2 Oscars.  Mike Nichols turned him down for a musical role, but remembered him for the breakthrough role of "The Graduate" (1967).  He has 88 acting credits plus 7 for producing and 3 for directing including "Little Big Man" (1970), "Papillon"  (1973), "All the President's Men" (1976), "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979), "Tootsie" (1982), "Rain Man" (1988) and "Runaway Jury"  (2003).

Kate Reid played Linda Loman, the long suffering wife.  She was raised in Canada and began her acting in the theatre including at the Stratford Festival and The Shaw Festival.  She took her stage acting to Broadway and London.  For film she has 90 acting credits including "The Enemy of the People" (1966).

John Malkovitch played Biff Loman.  He started on stage in Chicago and proceeded to Broadway.  He has acted and directed in Spanish.  He has 138 acting credits plus 24 for producing and 3 for writing including "Secretariat" (2010).

Charles Durning played Charley, a neighbor.  He has 215 acting credits and 123 for soundtrack including "The Sting" (1973), "Dog Day Afternoon" (1975), "Enemy of the People" (1978) and "Tootsie" (1978).

My local library in Hamilton, Ontario provided me with a DVD including special features and also the book.

Willy Loman was an oldstyle salesman with the glad hand, the jokes and contacts.  We are never told what he actually sold.  The  need for selling comes from someone with an idea/service/product who needs help finding customers.  It has gotten much more sophisticated and prospective customers have become more discriminating.  A lot of what used to require personal contact now relies on the phone or online.   

Personally I have found it motivating to represent an improvement for a customer.  I loved traveling and meeting a variety of people and sometimes felt really good about helping someone.  But all salesmen and saleswomen have to learn to accept and overcome rejection as their success depends on how well they can do it.

Selling has been a critical part of my life and has also been very educational.  Here are some posts that illustrate.  Selling was a challenge not only to overcome resistance, but also to feel I was helping to make the world a better place.

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/05/we-are-all-in-sales.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/10/my-career-selling-office-supplies.html 

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/07/travels-of-salesman-part-3-quebec.html 

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/working-with-pet-retailers-part-2.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/my-most-unusual-way-to-make-money.html 

The Undoing Project

A history of two psychologists surprised me with a lot of information about evaluating potential NBA basketball players.   One point made was that there were a lot of statistics about individual players which were helpful, but needed to have more context to be used for multi million dollar decisions.  One aspect would be the caliber of their opposition.  Another angle was how individual efforts fit into a team.  Amos Tversky was a basketball fan.

Daniel Kahneman was used to thinking he was the smartest guy in the room until he met Amos during Israeli combat against Arab foes.  Amos was a paratrooper, one of the most dangerous positions requiring intelligence.  The two men had an interest in psychology involving statistics.

The real key to their importance was collaboration.  Often neither could determine who should get credit for a particular idea.  One simple thought led to something else and each would be inspired to elaborate.  Lots of false leads, but in their case led to decisions closer to a solution.  By changing the context in which two things are compared, you submerge certain features and force others to the surface.

Bias is insidious.  We all tend to look for an easy solution and too often automatically adopt the first one uncovered.  They went to elaborate procedures to uncover bias.  The problem is that bias are difficult to uncover.   The law of large numbers does not always apply to small numbers.  Many scientific and psychological experiments are done with small numbers and often are misleading when extrapolated to larger numbers.

 It was pointed out that economists tended to belittle psychologists, but more of them have come to use psychological insights to help explain investor decisions.

The world has wondered how Israel has defeated so many of their enemies in military combat.  He felt others made decisions based on wrong assessments.  He was quoted in university saying, "When someone says something, don't ask yourself if it might be true.  Ask what it might be true of." 

Donald A, Redelmeier was a doctor at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto who had been exposed to the decision making process of Tversky and Kahneman.  He found that many life and death decisions were too often based on habits, accepting the first seemingly plausible solutions.  His decisions saved many lives and helped create better decisions in medical situations. 

 Both men made decisions to work together even when they had jobs at different universities.  Married, it seemed to many they had a closer relationship with each other than with their wives.

Michael Lewis started the book with a quote from Voltaire, "Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is an absurd one."  The book does not eliminate uncertainty, but certainly does reduce it.

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/12/all-your-decisions-are-really-bets.html  puts all decisions into gambles, most of which become habits, but a different choice could be an improvement or disaster.

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/08/decisions-are-path-to-success.html  focuses on making better decisions by among other thing widening your options and looking at a bigger context.

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/knock-on-wood.html  is another way of looking at statistics going beyond "luck".

Michael Lewis has become one of my favorite authors.  Below is link to recent blog with two other links. http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/06/who-is-government.html

A Brother and 7 Siblings

Netflix has helped me discover Indonesia as a film powerhouse.  It takes years to develop expertise and of course money plays a role.  Caught off guard I would like to recommend still another one, "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2025).

A young man, Moko is living with his sister and her husband.  He seems destined to graduate soon and become an architect.  His girlfriend Meuron is set to also graduate and form a partnership with him.  His life changes when his sister who was pregnant and her husband die within a short time of one another.

He takes on the responsibility of taking over care of the four children, including the new baby.  He drops his education as well as his very supportive girlfriend and wears himself out working and caregiving.  When he has to go out of town (for a job arranged by his ex girl friend) a brother in law takes over child care, but proves to be a con man.  Struggling never seems to end, but Moko does wise up. 

There is not really 7 siblings, but the original title is 7 Ponakan.  In addition to the actual 4 siblings is added the daughter of an old music teacher (expected to be temporary) and Moko's sister and her husband.  The 7 Ponakan are all treated as family.

The film got a very high rating so I have already given out too many plot details.  Here are some of the contributors to its success.

Yandy Laurens was the director and writer.  He started with commercials and musical videos.  He has 13 credits as a writer, 14 for directing and 1 for script and continuation including "Cemara's Family (2019).    see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/cemaras-family.html

Arswendo Atmowilata wrote the original tv. series.  He was a journalist and short story writer.  In 1990 he was imprisoned for subversion and released in 1993.  Arswendo took a writing course at the University of Iowa.  He has 7 writing credits, 2 for acting an 1 for directing including "Cemera's Family" (2019).

Olef Obaja Setiawan composed the music.  He has 26 credits for composing and 2 for the music department.

Dimas Bagus Triatma Yoga was the cinematographer with 20 cinematography credits.

Hendra Adhi Susanto was the editor.   He has 22 editor credits and 4 for editorial department including"13 Bombs" (20243) and "Heartbreak Motel" (2024).  See   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/two-year-end-film-reviews.html

Nandi Giri was the casting director.  She has 20 casting director credits, 5 for the casting department and 2 for acting including "Photocopier" (2021). 

Chicco Kurniawan played Moko.  He was an advertising model and was a film extra.  He has 30 acting credits and one soundtrack including "Photocopier" (2021) and "13 Bombs" (2023).

Amanda Rawles played Maurin, the girl friend.  Her father was Australian and she received some of her education there.  She has 31 acting credits.

Freyanashifa Jayawardana played Nina, the older niece.  She is well known as a singer and dancer and part of JKT48 musical group.  She has 5 acting credits, 1 for the music department and 1 for soundtrack.

Ringgo Agus Rahman played Eka, the brother in law.  He has 52 acting credits including "Cemara's Family" (2019). 

Maudy Koesnaedi played Agnes, the older sister to Moko.  She has 30 acting credits including "Cemara's Family" (2019) and  "Losmen Bu Broto:  The Series" (2025).

Available on Newflix subtitled.  Well done.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.

The Sirens' Call

 

 An early quote from William James demonstrates the importance of attention; "My experience is what I agree to attend to."  As technology advances everyone gains access to more information with more competing for our attention.  What you agree to, shapes your life.

 Our attention is gathered in three ways.  First we voluntarily focus on something of interest to us.  Second we are abruptly distracted by something like a siren. Third you react to something of personal interest such as your name even if barely heard. 

We would like the time and context to focus on things of value or at least of interest, but literally millions of others would like to grab your attention.  People have developed some defenses.  The Walkman head phone at first was seen as anti-social, but is more acceptable today.  There is infinite information and finite attention.  Many look for summaries and others how to sort out what really matters.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/05/the-signal-and-noise.html

Attention has been commoditfied.  Newspaper circulation has been a basis for advertising rates for many years.  Television has ratings in great detail.  The claims can be difficult to verify as for example one study showed that 2/3 of television viewers reach for their phone during a commercial break.  Others take a bathroom break or do some household chore.  

Google has developed a more sophisticated system:  when you click on any link you help them develop a profile identifying what interests you.  Advertisers can bid for links to likely profiles and the advertiser only has to pay when the consumer clicks on their links.   

One advantage others seeking your attention have is that humans dread boredom.  Many humans feel alienated and without a sense of purpose.  Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is known for the concept of flow that many of us strive for.  One is happiest when one is engaged in an activity where they are so engaged they lose concept of time.  One example was riding horses where some are so engaged that is what they think of most of the time.

A model for communicating ideas was in 1858 Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas had a series of historical debates.  They would each be given an 60 minutes opening statement a 90 minute response and finally a 30 minute rebuttal.  There would be a series of debates with each man given opportunity to make their points and refute the other's points.  Today with lots of commercial pressures, political debates are more narrowly restricted.  Chris points out to understand the issues in depth we have lost.  Neil Postman in 1985 thought these debates illustrated how we have lost our ability to pay attention;  see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/05/amusing-ourselves-to-death.html

Along side he points out that in society we have taught children to wait their turn and wait for a sign for them to talk.  Nowadays interruptions and time restrictions have set different standards.

Chris Hayes has a unique position being a cable newscasters as he has to contend with what news gets covered.  To stay in business and keep his job he has to find news that gets attention.  Too often he has to deal with mass shootings.  At first a lot of attention was given to the perpetrator, but realized that a key motive was to draw attention.  Shifted the coverage more to the victims.  It is still news.

Donald Trump has the biggest megaphone in the world.  He seeks recognition but achieves attention.  He has learned how to be provocative.   Almost every day Trump creates attention that is difficult to ignore despite the fact that it is nonsensical it still seems to benefit him (or his ego).

One issue that doesn't get enough attention is climate change.  A flood, fire or drought is news and does get some coverage, but usually not much for long.  Logically the issue deserves much more attention.  You cannot actually see the climate changing and while some activists are creative, they are up against well financed fossil fuel advocates.

Multi tasking has been developing with the increased access to information (and entertainment), but it obviously results in divided attention which ultimately means each focus is diluted.  Along with Chris this is a bad habit and I am conscious that something is lost in the effort, but the fear of missing something drives me on.  How about you?

Chris pointed out that each of us have a desire for recognition.  As a newscaster he has found fame among strangers.  He found himself checking ratings and his social media responses.  Personally I check blog stats and Facebook responses.  Social media encourages such behavior.

Jonathan Haidt wrote about how smart phones and social media have quickly gained the attention of our youth.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/06/the-anxious-generation.html

Chris admits that technology increases all the time, but there have been some interesting rebellions.  One was vinyl records that provide cover art and sound better.  Most people read news online, but he has discovered that print newspaper offer something different.

There is a lot of meat in "The Sirens' Call "and it is not too practical for my summary to give an in depth understanding.  Hopefully my description has drawn your attention and if you want a more in depth understanding you need to read the book.

Uproar: How one prejudice protest can trigger another prejudice protest

 "Uproar" (2023) is from New Zealand and takes place during a time of racial protests in the memory of one writer who felt some of the same emotional elements of the lead charatcer.  The protests spurred others to realize they have been the victims of prejudice, the native Maoris.  The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival.

We are introduced to Josh a half Maori student at a private school.  He is not particularly interested in sports, but has a brother who had been a local rugby hero and finds himself pulled in that direction.  A teacher sees something else in him and encourages him to check out acting.  The school principle is against protests ruining the rugby tour.

The Springboks rugby team from South Africa had agreed to a tour of New Zealand in 1981.  This aroused an anti -apartheid protest among some European descendants.  In turn some Maori activists decided that they had been discriminated enough and thought to piggy back on the protests.  Josh felt pulled in two directions and did not want to get involved in protests.

Josh's older brother had been a star rugby player before an injury ended that, but he was wanted as a coach.   His mother, born in England was reluctant but made a deal that if they wanted her older son to coach they would have to accept her younger less athletic son for the team and it was agreed.  She felt awkward in New Zealand, but her Maori husband had felt unwanted in England and she felt unwanted by Maoris.

Josh really felt out of place, but one of his friends, Grace wanted him to take part in the protests and Mr. Slane, the school principal was vehemently against the protests.  He had helped his brother to recover from his serious injury.  

The movie is mostly from Josh's perspective struggling to please others and assert his own identity.

History provided the material, but the cast and crew have given life to the story.  Here are some contributors.  

Paul Middleditch was a director, writer and executive producer.  He had lived as a young boy during the Springbok tournament.  He is well known for tv. commercials in Australia.  Paul has 10 directors credits and 3 for writing and 1 for editing.

Hamish Bennett was the other director and one of the writers.  He was a full time primary school teacher.  He has 6 writing credits and 5 for directing.

Sonia Whiteman was another writer.  She has 5 writing credits, 4 for directing and 1 for producing.

Mario Gaoa was another writer.  He was part of the Naked Samoan Comedy Group.  He has 12 acting credits, 8 for writing and 3 for producing including "What We Do in The Shadows" (2014) and "We are Still Here" (2022).  see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/10/indigenous-perspective-illustrated-with.html

Rachel House was still another writer.  She got experience directing in theatre and went to study directing at the Prague Film School in the Czech Republic.  She has also been an acting coach.  Rachel has 62 acting credits, 7 for additional crew and 2 as director including.  "Whale Rider" (2002), "Eagle vs. Shark" (2007), "Moana" (2012), "Hunt for the Wilder People" (2016) and "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017).

Karl Solve Steven was the music composer.  He has 64 composer credits, 18 for the music department and 6 for soundtrack including "800 Words" (2015) and "The Sounds" (2020).  For a section on "800 words see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/12/tv-series-from-down-under.html

Maria Ines Manchego was the cinematographer.  Known for music videos and tv. commercials.  She has 22 cinematography credits.

Carly Turner was the editor.  She has 25 editor credits, 17 for the editorial department and 4 for the sound department including "Hacksaw Ridge" (2016), "Adrift" (2018) and "The Legend of Baron To'a" (2020).

Julian Dennison played Josh and was quite a contrast to what we saw in "Hunt for the Wilder People" (2016) where he played a rambunctious youngster.  After two previous films he was offered that role without an audition.  He has attracted attention from Australian and American film makers.  Julian has 16 acting credits and 1 for soundtrack. 

James Rolleston played Josh's older brother.  In July of 2016 he was in a very serious car accident that resulted in brain and lower body damage that required extensive rehabilitation to talk and walk.  He has 14  acting credits including "Boy" (2010), "The Dead Lands" (2014) and "The Dark Horse" (2014).

Minnie Driver played Shirley, Josh's mother.  She has been a successful singer with 3 solo albums and written songs.  She has 98 acting credits, 2 for producing and 18 for soundtrack including "Good Will Hunting" (1988 in which she was nominated for an Oscar), "Big Night" (1991), "Owning Mahowny" (2003), "Barney's Version" (2010), "Return to Zero" (2014), "Beyond the Light" (2014) and "The Red Tent" (2014).

Rhys Darby played Madigan, the teacher trying to steer Josh to acting.  He has been a standup comedian and performed as such in the United Kingdom along with radio and film.  He has been a climate ambassador for Greenpeace and once took part with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern with a tourism video.  Rhys has 114 acting credits, 10 for writing and 1 for directing including "What We Do in The Shadows" (2024) and "Hunt for The Wilder People" (2016).

Mark Mitchinson played Mr. Slane, the principle.  He acted in one of the Hobbitt films shot in New Zealand.  He has 90 acting credits including "Tracker" (2010).

Jada Fa'atui played Grace.  She had done a few podcasts, but this was her first film.

I caught the film by PVR.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  Some of them are among my favorite films.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if any film is worth following up.

Sisyphus

Science Fiction is a tool.  It can point the way to a future and/or deal with moral dilemmas.  Good ones do a little of both.  One criticism of this film brought to my attention was that the explanations for time travel were inconsistent.  To me belief in time travel is ridiculous, but it is still very useful as a tool, that is illustrated with "Sisyphus:  The Myth" (2021).

From Greek myth Sisyphus was punished by rolling a stone up hill until it reverses and the process begins again, symbolizing unending labor

The key problem is a nuclear war that will kill everyone.  From the future  Seo-Hae is sent to disrupt an invention that would precipitate such a civilization ending event.  The key scientist Tae Sul is arrogant, very smart and loose with women.  Seo-Hae, exceptionally beautiful, but focused convinces him to take action.  Her father had strongly advised her to avoid him, but she needed to talk to persuade him.  They are attracted to each other and others try to take advantage of that.  At one point he seems forced to make a decision between her and the war.  There are endless complications where several characters act in different futures.  

Of course this provides a great platform for action.  Explosions, gunfire and martial arts.

The creative team voice some thoughts about the future.   At one point the hero, Tae-sul asks Seo-Hae why she seems so slick fighting, but can't drive a car and speculates because cars in the future are all self-driven.

With many ups and downs fighting and some romancing we arrive at the ending, but you really should sit through all 16 episodes to really appreciate it.  

 A lot of people have a a rosy or lackadaisical view of the future, while many others have great fear.  The creative behind this series can foresee great danger.  Technology is churning out innovations, but some of them might not be totally beneficial. A strong belief of many science fiction lovers is that there are many other civilizations in the universe, but Carl Sagan concluded the reason we have no contacts is that any civilization that advances to a high enough technology to communicate with other planets blows themselves up.  Check :http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/10/carl-sagan-and-our-future.html

A lot of talented people make this worth viewing.  Listed below are some.

 Jin Hyuk was the director with 12 directing credits.

Lee Je-in and Jeon Chan-Ho are listed as script writers, but neither has any other credits.  They obviously exhibit professionalism that sooner or later will be revealed.

Chung Yeakyoung wrote the music.  At age 11 she won a national song contest that has remained popular.  She has 8 composing credits and 8 for the music department including "Chocolate" (2019).

Cho Seung-woo played Tae Sul.  He has been a top musical theatre star which surprises me as he doesn't get to sing in any films I have seen.  He has 24 film acting credits and one for soundtrack including "Chunhyang" (200), "Tazza:  The High Rollers" (2006), "Stranger" (2017) and "Divorce Attorney Shin" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/04/divorce-attorney-shin.html

Park Shin-hye plays Seo Hae.  She is gifted in Tae Kwon Do, performing her fight scenes in this series.  She has also been a backup singer in Korean films.  She is popular in Japan, China, Taiwon and other Asian countries.  She has been a generous philantrophist and has done volunteer work in Korea, Nepal and Ghans.  Shin-hye has 31 acting credits including "The Beauty Inside" (2015), "My Annoying Brother" (2016), "Memories of the Alhambra" (2018) and "Doctor Slump" (2024).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/03/doctor-slump.html

 Kim Jong-Tae plays Seo-Hae's father.  He has 38 acting credits including "Something in the Rain" (2018) and "Daily Dose of Sunshine" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/11/daily-dose-of-sunshine.html

 Sung Dong-il played Mr. Park, sort of a villain, but sometime ally.  He started in the theatre and now has 86 film acting credit including "200 Pounds Beauty" (2006) and "Miss Granny" (2014).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/04/a-slice-of-korean-cinema.html

 Kim Byung-chul played Sigma, a definite villain.  He has 26 acting credits including "Doctor Cha" (2023).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/06/doctor-cha.html

 Jeon Gook-hwan played an early investor with Tae-sul.  He has 55 acting credits including "My Mister" (2018) and the very popular "Crash Landing on You" (2019).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/crash-landing-on-you-very-addicting.html

Available on Netflix subtitled or dubbed.

Another Korean science fiction:   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/02/when-stars-gossip.html

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  Some of them are among my favorite Korean films and a big part of my Korean obsession.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if any film is worth following up.

Fredrik Backman comes up with another worthy read

Fredrik Backman is a favorite author and I go for his books even when the description does not fit my normal reading.  He has proved to be worth the effort.  As the last words of his acknowledgements "Telling stories is the only time I really feel like myself.  Thanks for following along."

This story seems to begin when a 17 year old independent girl comes across an apparently homeless man who is about to die.  Another man approaches  and assures the man he got the painting.  In the short time Louisa is known she makes such a strong impression that his last request is to give the painting to her.  There is a little back story of Louisa and lot about the painting and four friends.

There were four 14 year old friends that enjoyed each other so much despite some differences.  They offer the view of some youngsters who mostly do not know what they want out of life.

 There is a lot of humor, but also references to dying and the dead.  The dialogue is clever.  The plot is about a lot of back stories plus the adventures of the painting and Louisa.  There are interesting views on the art world and subtleties. 

There are lots of interesting thoughts, but I picked out three quotes that had some meaning for me. 

"Surely taking life for granted is the whole point of being here."

"My friend, all opera, all about love."  Reminded me how I came to love opera.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/06/why-i-love-opera-wayne-gretzky.html

"It's art that helps me cope.  Because art is a fragile magic, like love, and that's humanity's only defense against death."

Fredrik Backman hails from Sweden, but his books are found in over 40 countries.  He writes about a variety of topics and setups.  Highly recommend all his books.

 Here are some previous posts, but the first one is of a movie he inspired.

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/07/a-man-called-ove.html 

 http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/06/beartown.html

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/04/anxious-people-by-fredrik-backman.html 

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/11/the-winners.html 

http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/08/us-against-you.html