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Anna's Books for 2014


Anna Begins

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anthem.jpg

 

^^ Better cover than mine, represents the book more.

 

Title: Anthem

Author: Ayn Rand

Genre: Science Fiction. Dystopian

Age:  Could be YA, but I think its for Adults.  In any case, ok for YA.

Pages: 92

Book #87 for 2014

 

I love Ayn Rand, and it was finally time to pick up Anthem, which has been on my to be read list for- ever, so I finally got around to it in my slump.  It is dystopian and short, so I thought I’d give it a go.  (By the way, it is free from Amazon).

 

Written from the perspective of a singular part of a collective, “Equality 7-2521” disturbingly refers to himself as “We” or “us” not “I” or “me”, like the rest of the conformist society.  It really drives home the mentality of the people of the state, even among our free- thinking protagonist.

 

Equality 7-2521 is 21 years old and an oddly tall 6 feet, when he starts his story.  Anthem, predating Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty- Four by 12 years, begins with Equality 7-2521 breaking minor laws and describing various hideous jail terms if caught.  Time and disaster have brought archaic living conditions to civilization- strict rules, appointment of jobs, teaching the Earth is flat and is revolved by the sun.  Added in is just a little of the magical realism that is a note in Rand’s books, and in this one, and she goes a tad enthusiastic over existentialism and objectivism- she does restrain herself and hey- it was only some 92 pages.  And it was an ok 92 page read.  I wish there had been more dystopian vs philosophy, but then again, it is Rand.

 

From Amazon:  A riveting, thought-provoking parable based on the author’s experience of life in a socialist state, Anthem serves as an invaluable introduction to Ayn Rand, her fiction, and her philosophy.

Edited by Anna Begins
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Great review :)!

 

I got all excited, but it turns out the free version is not available in my region :(.

That is too bad, because now when I think of it more, this is a good introduction to her work.

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