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peacegirlconnectsworld's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Somehow people seem to misunderstand the purpose and messaging of this book, despite the fact that it’s massive and every description, conversation, and monologue is steeped in its ideology.
This is not a book that would sell well today. Its philosophy is against most of the common modern values. While I don’t agree with many aspects of what Rand believes, I think her point overall is more applicable now than in her time. It’s refreshing to read a different perspective.
I can see why this is one of the most beloved novels in America. The plot is fascinating and thrilling with twists and turns and significantly more sex than I was anticipating—but it isn’t about the plot. The plot of this novel is a backdrop by which Rand expresses her personal philosophy, usually through long monologues.
This book is not for the faint of heart. It is long. Even when you enjoy it, as I did, you can feel it dragging on. Her points are expressed and expressed again in a way that feels monotonous at times. This novel would be much better if it lost about 300 pages.
That being said, it’s great! It’s exciting and dark and it has twists and a happy ending. There’s a reason it’s so beloved. If you’re up for it, I would highly recommend it.
This is not a book that would sell well today. Its philosophy is against most of the common modern values. While I don’t agree with many aspects of what Rand believes, I think her point overall is more applicable now than in her time. It’s refreshing to read a different perspective.
I can see why this is one of the most beloved novels in America. The plot is fascinating and thrilling with twists and turns and significantly more sex than I was anticipating—but it isn’t about the plot. The plot of this novel is a backdrop by which Rand expresses her personal philosophy, usually through long monologues.
This book is not for the faint of heart. It is long. Even when you enjoy it, as I did, you can feel it dragging on. Her points are expressed and expressed again in a way that feels monotonous at times. This novel would be much better if it lost about 300 pages.
That being said, it’s great! It’s exciting and dark and it has twists and a happy ending. There’s a reason it’s so beloved. If you’re up for it, I would highly recommend it.
dalefu's review against another edition
5.0
Ayn Rand writes her novels like propaganda, and this is both their greatest strength and most blatant weakness. When I first read this book as a teenager, it had the desired effect of propaganda, and for a year or two I was a devout "Randian".
In those years I had many discussions with people on Rand's views. One pattern I noticed is the type of people that tend to be drawn to her views are the types of people who get things done. The types of people who don't come up with excuses; even when something isn't fair, and the odds are stacked against them, they don't spend their time complaining about it. They simply see a problem that needs a solution. For them, morality is a personal statement, and not a mutual agreement. These are qualities I still admire today.
Maturity and experience, however, tempered my commitment to her views on morality; I began to see the world wasn't quite so black and white. Emotion, while not always logical, is a fundamental part of human existence, and one that cannot be ignored. Sometimes practicality wins out over idealism. Compromise is not always a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.
However, one lesson that stuck with me from my time as an Objectivist was that I will not apologize for my success, or how I achieve it. I dictate the terms of my morality, and have no need for validation from someone who uses their criticisms of success as a simultaneous excuse for their lack-there-of.
Still, sometimes it can be fun to temporarily buy in to the propaganda. Sort of like watching a good revenge-movie: the morality is questionable, but we suspend our advocacy in favor of the guilty pleasure. And once it's over, we return to the real world, knowing those rules, alluring in their simplicity, just don't work in the complexities of every-day reality.
Despite Rand's heavy-handed espousal of her Objectivist philosophy, behind her propaganda is an expertly crafted mystery. This book generates a lot of hatred for it over the controversial, and often overly simplistic views on morality. If you have the mental fortitude to withstand the pages upon pages of being hit over the head with her views, their is a very intriguing novel here as well.
I give this book 5 stars for the addictive plot, and controversial views, even if those views weren't, in the end, ones I entirely stuck with.
In those years I had many discussions with people on Rand's views. One pattern I noticed is the type of people that tend to be drawn to her views are the types of people who get things done. The types of people who don't come up with excuses; even when something isn't fair, and the odds are stacked against them, they don't spend their time complaining about it. They simply see a problem that needs a solution. For them, morality is a personal statement, and not a mutual agreement. These are qualities I still admire today.
Maturity and experience, however, tempered my commitment to her views on morality; I began to see the world wasn't quite so black and white. Emotion, while not always logical, is a fundamental part of human existence, and one that cannot be ignored. Sometimes practicality wins out over idealism. Compromise is not always a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.
However, one lesson that stuck with me from my time as an Objectivist was that I will not apologize for my success, or how I achieve it. I dictate the terms of my morality, and have no need for validation from someone who uses their criticisms of success as a simultaneous excuse for their lack-there-of.
Still, sometimes it can be fun to temporarily buy in to the propaganda. Sort of like watching a good revenge-movie: the morality is questionable, but we suspend our advocacy in favor of the guilty pleasure. And once it's over, we return to the real world, knowing those rules, alluring in their simplicity, just don't work in the complexities of every-day reality.
Despite Rand's heavy-handed espousal of her Objectivist philosophy, behind her propaganda is an expertly crafted mystery. This book generates a lot of hatred for it over the controversial, and often overly simplistic views on morality. If you have the mental fortitude to withstand the pages upon pages of being hit over the head with her views, their is a very intriguing novel here as well.
I give this book 5 stars for the addictive plot, and controversial views, even if those views weren't, in the end, ones I entirely stuck with.
robivy's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most satisfying and insightful books I have ever read, and eerily reminiscent of current day left-wing propaganda.
vtranreads's review against another edition
2.0
It took me forever to read this thing becuase I kept putting it down. It was pretty tough to get through the 3 hour radio broadcast, that was only a summary of what Rand is trying to get across through the entire book. I mean isn't 900 pages already enough to get a point across without the need to repeat it all again only in different words?
And I understand that she was using it to teach her philosophy, but it bothered me that the books characters were pretty two dimentional. One last thing that bothered me was the fact that Dagny killed that man in the end. Sure he was confused and didn't have time to assess the situation and make up his mind, but did he really deserve to be murdered? I mean after all that talk about not forcing your way with the point of a gun. I just thought that it wasn't right that he was the only guard that they killed.
But overall I didn't hate this book. It just wasn't as appealing to me. It did have some thought provoking arguments that helped me understand Objectivism much more, and I don't fault her for following her own philosophy. Of course, I think that there are many holes to be found.
And I understand that she was using it to teach her philosophy, but it bothered me that the books characters were pretty two dimentional. One last thing that bothered me was the fact that Dagny killed that man in the end. Sure he was confused and didn't have time to assess the situation and make up his mind, but did he really deserve to be murdered? I mean after all that talk about not forcing your way with the point of a gun. I just thought that it wasn't right that he was the only guard that they killed.
But overall I didn't hate this book. It just wasn't as appealing to me. It did have some thought provoking arguments that helped me understand Objectivism much more, and I don't fault her for following her own philosophy. Of course, I think that there are many holes to be found.
jeremie's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
novelestic's review against another edition
2.0
While I do value the philosophical ideas presented in this book, I find it challenging to overlook it's extended speeches, one-dimensional characters, and didactic tone, which ultimately impacted my appreciation for the work.
jephilli2994's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book, although I thought it was WAY too long. I skipped over most of the speech near the end.
wunderkindl's review against another edition
1.0
I think this might be one of those books that I pick up, aim to complete it, and fail until like the sixth time I am determined to cross it off my list. And then when I am done will most likely say, "What was all the &*^%$#$# hype about?" (Other books is this category are On the Road and Zen and the Art of Motorcylce Maintenance.
The only redeeming this about this book so far is the descriptions of architecture, industry and music.
I gave this book to Goodwill yesterday. Oh literary gods, I surrender. Ayn Rand I have no more words for you. I might never know who John Galt is.
The only redeeming this about this book so far is the descriptions of architecture, industry and music.
I gave this book to Goodwill yesterday. Oh literary gods, I surrender. Ayn Rand I have no more words for you. I might never know who John Galt is.
rolemartyrx's review against another edition
4.5
4.5 points: Outstanding - Almost flawless; exceeds expectations; highly recommended, even for those not typically interested.