11 May 2007

Anthem - Ayn Rand

Date: May 11, 2007
Recommendation: A beach bum’s version of Atlas Shrugged


When the Modern Library released their best novels of the 20th Century, they also gave readers a chance to vote online. Needless to say, a small contingent of fans dominated the voting, skewing the results in favour of cult authors, such as L. Ron Hubbard, Ayn Rand, and Charles de Lint.

Ayn Rand had 4 of the top 10 books on the reader’s choice, including Anthem, a dystopian allegory which conjures images of 1984 meets Atlas Shrugged. Rand, by all accounts is a philosopher, who has turned to novels to propagate her ideas against collectivism and the power of the individual. Rand essentially sees the individual as the driving force behind society’s progress. Having read Atlas Shrugged, I can tell you that should you wish for an introduction to Rand’s theories, Anthem is a great place to start. You’ll get more philosophy for your buck – same great objectivism taste, 1000 less pages!


“I am done with the monster of "We," the word of serfdom, of plunder, of misery, falsehood and shame.” - Equality 7-2521 (the novel's protagonist)

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

So....slow day at work again, huh?

I'm glad that book club doesn't involve any sort of competitive element because I would be getting my literary ass kicked!

P.S. I like how you've started ending your book reviews with a quote or excerpt from the book....I hope you keep us this feature!

Anonymous said...

Don't worry Amanda, I think we'd be able to keep up if we weren't so busy with broader interests :)

Speaking of, is May 23 still the day? I'll have to show up after 7:30 if so... those pesky broader interests at it again...

I also like the quote feature!

Anonymous said...

Yes, May 23rd is the day for book club - at Amanda and Ryan's house.

Anonymous said...

Gramsci and Howard Roark would have gotten along just fine.
Ayn Rand's was originally called Susan Rosenblatt

Anonymous said...

update already.

i'm going into withdrawal.

j

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