I recently read the book Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It's been on my reading list for a while. I heard about the book many times before. It gets referenced in a lot of political ideology. Forums, people, blogs mention or reference it. I heard it being described as a book for the GOP(not sure if its actually true). I seen passages quoted before and my favorite would be Francisco Speech about money.
So I have finally read the book. And wow! its kinda dense. I think Ayn Rand likes giving pages of monologues to all her characters. These monologues are packed pretty dense and focuses on a point of view that describes and reinforces Ayn Rand point.
After reading the book, I look back at the times when people mentioned this book in conversations about ideology, viewpoints and political leanings. I get it...Ayn has a pretty straight-forward point and it is impossible to miss. I think most people who read the book take it away a bit to literally. The book is fiction and takes place in a fictional United States. It has a lot of similarities to our current world and a blend of realism. But it is not real. The plot and situations is wrapped up in black and white. No gray areas. The characters are shown rigidly as opposing opposites. Ayn wanted to make sure people understand her view. Unfortunately when people make comparisons and references, they say things like "this is exactly what is wrong with our world". No you are comparing reality to fiction. There are definitely a lot of similarities but it's not the same thing. No one has views as extreme as Nat Taggart or Wesley Mouch. Yes even the people you are comparing them too.
It might sound like I'm giving the book a bad review. But besides being a bit lengthy and mouthy on the monlogues, I really enjoyed the book. What I took from the book is that A person makes him self. It's a inspiring message. Our world is not as messed up as Rand's fictional world, and there's a lot more gray area in real life, but i think her values could apply to this world.
So I have finally read the book. And wow! its kinda dense. I think Ayn Rand likes giving pages of monologues to all her characters. These monologues are packed pretty dense and focuses on a point of view that describes and reinforces Ayn Rand point.
After reading the book, I look back at the times when people mentioned this book in conversations about ideology, viewpoints and political leanings. I get it...Ayn has a pretty straight-forward point and it is impossible to miss. I think most people who read the book take it away a bit to literally. The book is fiction and takes place in a fictional United States. It has a lot of similarities to our current world and a blend of realism. But it is not real. The plot and situations is wrapped up in black and white. No gray areas. The characters are shown rigidly as opposing opposites. Ayn wanted to make sure people understand her view. Unfortunately when people make comparisons and references, they say things like "this is exactly what is wrong with our world". No you are comparing reality to fiction. There are definitely a lot of similarities but it's not the same thing. No one has views as extreme as Nat Taggart or Wesley Mouch. Yes even the people you are comparing them too.
It might sound like I'm giving the book a bad review. But besides being a bit lengthy and mouthy on the monlogues, I really enjoyed the book. What I took from the book is that A person makes him self. It's a inspiring message. Our world is not as messed up as Rand's fictional world, and there's a lot more gray area in real life, but i think her values could apply to this world.
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