Anthem by Ayn Rand

One of the best books I've ever read was Anthem by Ayn Rand. It was one of the few books that I was actually happy to read in school. One thing really unique about it was it didn't use the word "I" until the second to last chapter or somewhere around there. It was so thought-provoking and I couldn't put it down. A masterpiece in my mind. What do you all think about it? And if you haven't read(or you have and want this version) it I would suggest finding a copy of the 50th aniversary edition, which contains the first publication in the back.

I love this book... but its been sooo long since I read it. I think I might speed through it again this weekend.

I also remember the "I" use at the end and thinking how utterly profound that was. And I so wasn't expecting the end... I mean I was, but the actual "big reveal" really stunned me. very thought provoking.

^_^

missjulie wrote:

I love this book... but its been sooo long since I read it. I think I might speed through it again this weekend.

I also remember the "I" use at the end and thinking how utterly profound that was. And I so wasn't expecting the end... I mean I was, but the actual "big reveal" really stunned me. very thought provoking.

^_^

Yeah, it was really quite profound. I love books based in the future, and this was definitely my favorite. It's hard to imagine a life like that! Great story.

I read it last year in school and actually didn't mind it. It sort of reminded me of The Giver in the fact that everything is so controlled. I liked the ending -- it was pretty great.

Novel-Goddess wrote:

I read it last year in school and actually didn't mind it. It sort of reminded me of The Giver in the fact that everything is so controlled. I liked the ending -- it was pretty great.

Yeah, it did remind me of the Giver! Which is one of my favorite books also! I think books with a utopia society that goes wrong are so fascinating.

Both Anthem and The Giver disturbed me. I liked them (I re-read The Giver on a regular basis) but they just didn't sit right with me. The concepts were just creepy enough to make me shudder and get that cold, something's-watching-me feeling.
Hmm...Maybe I'll re-read Anthem...

Yeah, they are quite disturbing, but I think that is the point. I think the author wants to convey the messages of how life can be in the future, if we let,rules and/or technology go to far. Another book you might consider reading is the Handmaids Tale. It is also very thought-provoking, but to warn you, there is some adult content. Some other interesting books based in the future, are the Bar Code Tattoo, Declaration, and the Uglies series.

I have read the Uglies series. That was yet another set of books that were just thought-provoking enough and provided just enough commentary that they disturbed me. It took me a really long time to get through Pretties and Specials.
I know somebody who's read The Bar Code Tattoo. She said it sucked -- but then again, I know this person well enough to say that she hates books that are meant to shock your senses like that.

Well, to be honest with you, I haven't read the Bar Code Tattoo in like two or three years, but when I read it, I remember liking it. I should probably read it again, but considering I still remember some of it, that means it had to stick with me.

I really liked the Uglies throught the Specials but the Extras wasn't my favorite. I wish it had been in Tally's (is that her name?) point of view. But I loved to read about all the technology and things they had.

Yeah, I loved reading about all the technology.

Extras annoyed me. Seriously. Specials really didn't sit right with me. Pretties was...eh. Personally, I thought it could have easilly been ended after Uglies.

But that's off topic...

In Anthem, I really liked how it was "us" instead of "I" and "them" instead of him or her. I don't think any of us in my English class really realized how much we say "I" until we read that book.

I wrote a paper about that, I think...I'll see if I can dig it out.

Novel-Goddess wrote:

In Anthem, I really liked how it was "us" instead of "I" and "them" instead of him or her. I don't think any of us in my English class really realized how much we say "I" until we read that book.

I thought that was so brilliant! It was almost heartbreaking to read Equality say "we" instead of "I". How horrible would it be to be stripped of your identity, of your right to do anything, even WRITE! It's hard to imagine a society like that, yet that book puts into perspective of how real that could become. Scary.

I cant wait to read some of Ayn Rand's work. on my '100 book list' - i'm going to read atlas shrugged.

Has anyone read this book?

I haven't read Atlas Shrugged, but I keep meaning to get it from the library. Lemme know what you think of it.