Like most Ayn Rand fans and detractors, this is the first book of hers I read, which makes sense considering it is somewhat juvenile, in how she makes her point very clear through a frighteningly extreme example. On the other hand, I think I loved this book more when I revisited after reading the rest of her work. Despite the simplistic appearance there are many layers at work for the enjoyment of all levels of reader sophistication.
The only thing I did not like about this book is the highly improbable scenario of a completely ignorant individual rediscovering and mastering electricity, under the worst of circumstances in a relatively short amount of time. The only explanation is that the hero is the most fantasticaly prodigous genius who ever lived. This suggests that Ayn beleives no matter how philosophically pure an individual is, only geniuses can thwart the collectivist trend. I would propose this is the kind of subtle plot device that would cause people to so vehemently decry her as an "elitist".
Which is one of the nicer things shes been called on account of her theories. I don't supose it would take too much imagination (or indoctrination) to see this book as "reactionary" or "anti-proletariat".
All in and all, this is a quality novella, all the more so for its much appreciated brevity; her masterpeice is over ten times as long.
Even if you disagree with objectivism, this will certainly give you something to think about. Enjoy the abridged version of the poster girl for extremist individualism today.
Rand was a Russian born American author who pioneered the philosophy of objectivism. Anthem is a futuristic science fiction novella. Man is in a dark ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Rand was a Russian born American author who pioneered the philosophy of objectivism. Anthem is a futuristic science fiction novella. Man is in a dark ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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