Anthem

"Read this for school, and I was pretty impressed. Takes a bit to get used to the lack of the word “I” for almost the entire book. But the writing is still pretty good for comprehension. You also know that EVERYTHING Rand is writing is for a purpose. A English’s teachers dream. The world is interesting. The political criticism and rhetoric at the end of the book is fascinating. I also liked reading a dystopian book that didn’t make me feel depressed the entire time. All in a all a good read with a really nice ending. 4/5 stars. "

"I think I read this all in one sitting. It’s a super quick read, more of a short story really, but a very efficient and evocative bit of dystopian fiction. Its main theme is the concept of collectivism versus individuality, and how sacrificing one for the other can have such grave repercussions. What do we live for? What does equality really mean, and how can we strive for it in a way that truly does justice to humanity? How can people be capable of putting certain mechanisms in place in the name of fairness and compassion, but actually be committing the greatest evil against the soul of the individual? I think this book is written beautifully and brings up so many ideas worth pondering. Sobering read. Ignorance is not bliss. "

"I love this book! Super quick and the overarching concept (which I can’t explain without ruining the book) is a cool one. "

"I really love it though I don’t agree with all of rands thoughts."

"Least favorite of all dystopian novels I've read"

"I read this book for school. The author wrote this book to adverse Objectism. This is a religion that the author came up with that focuses on the individual. Most religion are about helping others. Objectism is still help but do it for yourself. Pretty much be selfish and do stuff because you want to do it. <br/><br/>The author advertises this idea by going to extreme. What if everyone was the same? No one is above everyone else. Everyone is completely equal. Being different was considered a sin. They cut out the individual, so much that you can’t say me or you. It is we. We have black hair. We opened over and picked up a box. We said this. They don’t even have actual names. It is Equality or liberty plus some numbers. <br/><br/>All of this especially the “We” got annoying. I head to use the audio book to get through it. The author does try really hard to convert people to her ideas but she does it by showing events instead of telling us. <br/><br/>The book is extremely short with 105 pages. <br/><br/>The message is decent but the thing is when school wants us to read a dystopian half the time they choose “everyone is the same” plot. They each do something different but it was done before. It is interesting the first time then it becomes boring."

"It's was okay, many great lessons!"

"I wondered if I would like this book or if it would be another of those "depressing and strange books you were supposed to read in high school and get some kind of meaning out of it and then love it" type of classics. I actually liked this book...I thought the story was very thought provoking and sad and very possible if we aren't careful in what we do with our world. It was a short read and that was nice since I had a short amount of time that needed to be filled with something good.<br/>"

"This is the least appealing book I've ever read. It's structured terribly,the characters a flat and lacking in any personality. The romantic interest in the book feels off and like she was written by a 1950s man despite being written by a woman. It's clear Rand,as usual was more interested in writing a political manifesto than a real story. "

"The issue with Ayn Rand’s extreme individualism is that it is used to justify capitalism - based on a myth of meritocracy. The issue is, in a society of “survival of the fittest,” where all men live for themselves — that society is quickly turned on its head when new generations inherit the wealth or poverty of their parents - which was not merited. And when the rich continue to exert extreme individualism - it is at the detriment of the poor. The majority ends up exploited while the minority rich are allowed to exude individualism. The majority poor are exploited and unable to conquer individualism in the struggle to survive. Status becomes inherited.<br/><br/>Additionally, Rand’s theory of individualism is entirely ableist. And as seen with Darwinism, would leave those with disabilities to fend for themselves or die. To live only for oneself sounds all well and good when breaking from an authoritarian society, but what becomes of one in old age or in sickness - when one needs to rely on the toils of others? Capitalism is as oppressive as an extreme communism."