Anthem
Anthem is Ayn Rand's classic tale of a dystopian future of the great "We"--a world that deprives individuals of a name or independence--that anticipates her later masterpieces, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. They existed only to serve the state. They were conceived in controlled Palaces of Mating. They died in the Home of the Useless. From cradle to grave, the crowd was one--the great WE. In all that was left of humanity there was only one man who dared to think, seek, and love. He lived in the dark ages of the future. In a loveless world, he dared to love the woman of his choice. In an age that had lost all trace of science and civilization, he had the courage to seek and find knowledge. But these were not the crimes for which he would be hunted. He was marked for death because he had committed the unpardonable sin: He had stood forth from the mindless human herd. He was a man alone. He had rediscovered the lost and holy word--I. "I worship individuals for their highest possibilities as individuals, and I loathe humanity, for its failure to live up to these possibilities."--Ayn Rand
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Community Reviews
I'm big fan of dystopian novels. My personal opinion on this one-and you can take it or leave I could care less--is to read it and then decide whether it meant anything to you. It's 106 pages. Pretty short I'd say.
It's simply written, but don't let the simplicity fool you. It's one of those books that makes you think, if you give it the chance to do so, and analyze the current state of our society. Some of the passages mirror what goes on daily in our present day humanity. It's also interesting to see the evolution of the main protagonist.
As a feminist at heart (don't judge me), I can see what the author did with the secondary character. In my opinion, I don't believe that the intention was to cause a Feminist riot, but I can see what the author was intending on portraying with the characters.
Honestly, don't let my review or other reviews cloud your judgment or inclination of wanting to discover this book for yourself. Take a chance. You might be surprised :)
It's simply written, but don't let the simplicity fool you. It's one of those books that makes you think, if you give it the chance to do so, and analyze the current state of our society. Some of the passages mirror what goes on daily in our present day humanity. It's also interesting to see the evolution of the main protagonist.
As a feminist at heart (don't judge me), I can see what the author did with the secondary character. In my opinion, I don't believe that the intention was to cause a Feminist riot, but I can see what the author was intending on portraying with the characters.
Honestly, don't let my review or other reviews cloud your judgment or inclination of wanting to discover this book for yourself. Take a chance. You might be surprised :)
Another Librivox recording.
This is my first taste, so to speak, of Rand's work. And it was interesting, unnerving and better than I thought.
Official summary:
Anthem is a dystopic science fiction story taking place at some unspecified future date. Mankind has entered another dark age as a result of what Rand saw as the weaknesses of socialistic thinking and economics. Technological advancement is now carefully planned (when it is allowed to occur, if at all) and the concept of individuality has been eliminated (for example, the word “I” has disappeared from the language). As is common in her work, Rand draws a clear distinction between the “socialist/communal” values of equality and brotherhood and the “productive/capitalist” values of achievement and individuality. The story also parallels Stalinist Russia, which was currently going on at the time as the story was published. (Summary from Wikipedia)
This book is written as the diary of Equality 7-2521, a young man who is just one of the hundreds of folks churned out by the new "mankind". No one is an individual, people refer to themselves as "We" since everything they do or think should encompass everyone. People are punished for merely thinking or acting in an individual way. A frightening future that takes an incredible step backwards. No electricity, only candles. No books, unless you are deemed a Scholar. Folks are given their vocation that they will keep for the rest of their lives, provided they live past 40. Once a person hits 40, they are regulated to the home of the useless to die or become an ancient (if you made it to 45).
The reading of Anthem was very good with some unexpected pauses.
Summary of Anthem
Librivox
Project Gutenberg
"PART ONE
It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see.
It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own.
And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone.
We have broken the laws. The laws say that men may not write unless the Council of Vocations bid them so. May we be forgiven!"
This is my first taste, so to speak, of Rand's work. And it was interesting, unnerving and better than I thought.
Official summary:
Anthem is a dystopic science fiction story taking place at some unspecified future date. Mankind has entered another dark age as a result of what Rand saw as the weaknesses of socialistic thinking and economics. Technological advancement is now carefully planned (when it is allowed to occur, if at all) and the concept of individuality has been eliminated (for example, the word “I” has disappeared from the language). As is common in her work, Rand draws a clear distinction between the “socialist/communal” values of equality and brotherhood and the “productive/capitalist” values of achievement and individuality. The story also parallels Stalinist Russia, which was currently going on at the time as the story was published. (Summary from Wikipedia)
This book is written as the diary of Equality 7-2521, a young man who is just one of the hundreds of folks churned out by the new "mankind". No one is an individual, people refer to themselves as "We" since everything they do or think should encompass everyone. People are punished for merely thinking or acting in an individual way. A frightening future that takes an incredible step backwards. No electricity, only candles. No books, unless you are deemed a Scholar. Folks are given their vocation that they will keep for the rest of their lives, provided they live past 40. Once a person hits 40, they are regulated to the home of the useless to die or become an ancient (if you made it to 45).
The reading of Anthem was very good with some unexpected pauses.
Summary of Anthem
Librivox
Project Gutenberg
"PART ONE
It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see.
It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own.
And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone.
We have broken the laws. The laws say that men may not write unless the Council of Vocations bid them so. May we be forgiven!"
I loved this book. I deeply appreciate authors that can transport me into a different world with so few words. Anthem has a lot of similar vibes as other classical dystopian novels like 1984 and The Giver. Ann Rand's writing was beautifully simple and moving. I appreciate dystopian novels because they showcase how damaging something good in small bits is horrific if done on a huge scale and Anthem was no different. It was captivating and so moving.
I'm not a fan of Ayn Rand's philosophy, but as the child of Cuban immigrants, I can't discount the horrors of "socialism" turned repressive regime. I know European countries have until recently prospered under systems that are more socialist than in the United States, and I'm generally in support of the progressive reforms of the left. However, I have a great distaste for the hero worship of leaders such as Che Guevara that helped bring about the oppressive regime of Castro in Cuba. So I do think Ayn Rand's work in Anthem, though a very heavy-handed allegory, has some value. Especially since Anthem is mercifully short and has a romantic subplot. Extra star for the love interest actually.
What I think is really too far is the idea that God is the ego, when it seems quite the opposite. In my opinion, God is closer to what happens when you voluntarily abandon the ego. A philosophy of the ego as God seems childish and as dangerous as the totalitarian socialism Rand opposes.
What I think is really too far is the idea that God is the ego, when it seems quite the opposite. In my opinion, God is closer to what happens when you voluntarily abandon the ego. A philosophy of the ego as God seems childish and as dangerous as the totalitarian socialism Rand opposes.
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