Matthew's Reviews > Anthem
Anthem
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Matthew's review
bookshelves: favorites, post-apocalyptic-dystopian, sci-fi, required-reading-high-school, classic
Jan 16, 2017
bookshelves: favorites, post-apocalyptic-dystopian, sci-fi, required-reading-high-school, classic
I cannot believe I just realized now I did not have this book marked as read! I read this back in high school and loved it!
For those thinking about trying Ayn Rand, this is a good intro book considering it is only a little over 100 pages and her other popular titles (mainly talking about Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead) are quite daunting in their length.
Now, in the past I have had trouble reviewing Ayn Rand because she is controversial. Usually this leads to people not being able to separate a review of a book from a political statement. Since I don't like arguing politics and figure everyone is entitled to their opinion, I will again attempt to avoid putting any sort of political spin on this one - but it may not be completely avoidable.
For me, this book is in the same category as 1984 and Brave New World. It is a commentary on where we might be going if we are not careful. In this book, the main issue is loss of self in forced servitude to the larger governmental machine. The writing is creative and riveting enough that it is very easy to finish this in one sitting.
Check out Anthem and read it with an open mind (even if it doesn't match your politics) and I think you will find an interesting, enjoyable, and thought provoking classic.
For those thinking about trying Ayn Rand, this is a good intro book considering it is only a little over 100 pages and her other popular titles (mainly talking about Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead) are quite daunting in their length.
Now, in the past I have had trouble reviewing Ayn Rand because she is controversial. Usually this leads to people not being able to separate a review of a book from a political statement. Since I don't like arguing politics and figure everyone is entitled to their opinion, I will again attempt to avoid putting any sort of political spin on this one - but it may not be completely avoidable.
For me, this book is in the same category as 1984 and Brave New World. It is a commentary on where we might be going if we are not careful. In this book, the main issue is loss of self in forced servitude to the larger governmental machine. The writing is creative and riveting enough that it is very easy to finish this in one sitting.
Check out Anthem and read it with an open mind (even if it doesn't match your politics) and I think you will find an interesting, enjoyable, and thought provoking classic.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
January 16, 2017
– Shelved
January 16, 2017
– Shelved as:
favorites
January 16, 2017
– Shelved as:
post-apocalyptic-dystopian
January 16, 2017
– Shelved as:
sci-fi
January 16, 2017
– Shelved as:
required-reading-high-school
January 16, 2017
– Shelved as:
classic
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C-shaw
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Jan 17, 2017 04:43PM
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Thank you C-shaw - I appreciate that! I hope you enjoy!
It is funny, because it wasn't until after I read Atlas Shrugged that I realized how angry people got about Ayn Rand.
Sorry for the delayed response! I don't think I always see the notifications that someone responded.
It is interesting because people praise the depiction of dystopias/potential futures in books like 1984 and Handmaids Tale as cautionary tales we should be worried about. But, when Ayn Rand gets discussed, her ideas are considered offensive, silly, fueled by unacceptable motivation, etc. I know that her politics are controversial, but I think she writes some pretty interesting stories from a different point of view.
Thanks, Nick!
I hope you enjoy, Bill! It's different but excellent!
If you liked those two, you should like this one. Also, it is a very short book, so not much commitment if you don't care for it.
Wow! That is incredibly sad - so closed minded. As far as I am concerned, people can like whatever they want as long as they are not jerks!
What's funny is that I've noticed people with diametrically opposed political views citing 1984 as the direction we're headed. I think the first step to critical thinking is applying some criticism to one's own biases.
Great point. I think there might be too much pride and stubborness for many to be open minded, critically review themselves, etc. Maybe they think they are going to be ridiculed for being "wrong", but no idea is perfect and no issue only two sided.
Yes, I agree - everyone warned me that "the speech" is the hardest part of thst book, but I didn't mind it. I think, though, that instead of people reading it and then deciding how they feel, it seems they have a pre-conceived notion and don't even give it a chance.
Thanks, Paul!
Thanks, Cyndi! :)
That is good! I didn't either when I read this in High School. It was not until after I finished Atlas Shrugged that I discovered the stigma Rand has.
If you do, enjoy!
I do as well, although I try to avoid politics as it seems it is tough to keep it from degenerating into a heated argument.
Well said, Linette!😀
Thank you, Matthew!!!!! :D
Awesome! I hope you enjoy Atlas Shrugged!
Wow, that is totally insane that someone would stop talking to you being friends with you for reading and liking a book! I bet they never even ever read the book before! Atlas Shrugged is not only a really LONG book, but its a book that is really deep and gets you thinking A LOT. Plus there are parts that do drag so I feel like most people cant even finish it. I will admit that I didnt read all of John Galt's speech when I saw it was like 70 pages long! lol. I read like half of his speech. But that was the only part of the book that I skipped on a bit.
Awesome, Michele! Shouldn't take you too long - I hope you enjoy! 😃
reading it right now! Only like 5 pages in though so far
So, about halfway through the book?
I kid, I kid! 🤣🤣🤣
I do remember (even though it has been at least 25 years since I read this) that getting used to the pronouns was tough!
"Atlas" definitely seems to be the one most have read. I guess "The Fountainhead" is mainly read by those diving deep into Rand and is not necessarily as lauded as "Atlas".
I still have it on my shelf ready to read one of these days!
Yes - this is more for someone who wants a taste instead of the whole cow! 😁
And, to add to that - many of the paperback editions come with a mail in insert card to "get more info" on Rand. Reminds me of how whenever I have seen a Hubbard book there is usually a mail in card for Scientology.
I'll just read the books and avoid the Kool Aid! 😉
Exactly - that is part of the appeal of it to me as well. However, over the years I have started to remove myself more and more from politics for sanity sake. (I don't handle online political fighting very well. And, to be honest, it seems like I tend to differ from everyone who has a strong take in either direction. So, I sometimes joke that I have the ability to tick off every one because I don't agree with anything! 🤣🤣🤣)
And, actually, Rand was one of the authors who made me start to realize online discourse dangerous because mentioning her in passing has proven to get some people fired up! You can go on Facebook and say, "I like Charlotte's Web" with no issue, but heaven help you if you post,"I enjoyed Atlas Shrugged"!
So true about the insert cards! They make a good bookmark if you end up exactly halfway through the novel.
I'm with you on feeling like being moderate makes everyone disgusted that you aren't choosing one of the polar "teams" to be on. Books are for the most part a great diversion from that and Goodreads is the place to be especially in these times.
I'm with you on feeling like being moderate makes everyone disgusted that you aren't choosing one of the polar "teams" to be on. Books are for the most part a great diversion from that and Goodreads is the place to be especially in these times."
HA! That halfway through comment made me LOL!
I have had a few books where I had a hard time separating some of my feelings about reality from the fiction, but in general I hope that I can stick to that diversion to which we strive for on Goodreads!