Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

More my reading experience, thoughts on the audiobook, and the writing than the themes and motifs of the book.

[bettersteps]

Many people don't realize Atlas Shrugged, although a work of fiction, is actually a philosophy book. She chose to explain her philosophy in a story format using character and plots in order to get her ideas across instead of explaining it by writing a traditional philosophy book. I'm so happy she chose to do this. Philosophy books are brutally boring and difficult to read. Atlas Shrugged is a pleasure every time I read it.

[madahab]

I'm currently on my fourth attempt to tack this monster of a novel. The three previous occasions have been with a physical book and the bulk of it does make the task very daunting and formidable. This time I'm reading it on my Kindle and I don't have that issue and I'm finding the experience a bit easier, thus far. I'm only 300 pages deep at the moment. I am aware of its affection amongst the conservative Right but I'm trying to remain objective and try to extract some positive aspects. I was already attracted to the ideas: "I will stop the motor of the world" and "the immovable mover". I imagine that my own interpretation the these phrases will differ greatly from Ms. Rand's. But I am a firm believer in not throwing out the baby with the bath water and that there is wisdom to be found in the mostly unlikely places, sometimes they are not readily apparent.I

I have issues with audiobooks myself. When one is reading a book, whether a physical one or digital, you are focused on the text whereas if you're listening to an audiobook your mind and attention might start to wander and possibly miss important information. Unless you're in a situation where you can remain ridgedly focused on what you're listening to (say on a long walk) it will be hard to maintain interest for any sustained period of time. I prefer that intimate relationship between author and reader and any third party is a distraction, especially when the audio reader has all the dynamics of a voice-to-text programme. I've heard some audiobooks that are done exceedingly well, they are usually done by actors who know how to emphasise words and bring the text to life. One of my favourites is Brian Cox reading Heart of Darkness.

But I've digressed from the topic at hand. Thus far I'm engrossed in the drama of Dagny trying to find the inventor of this revolutionary motor that might save her company. But as I've experienced previously that just as the story gets exciting it shifts to a less exciting one, adding more and more characters. This book could have been whittled down by several hundred pages. I'm not averse to long books but their length should be justified and not feel like an author's ego run amok. I recently reread Stephen King's literary speed bump IT which suffers from an author not knowing when to edit. One of my favourite pieces of advice in creative writing comes from Hemingway 's The Moveable Feast in which he remarks: Know the complexity of a situation and then state it simply. Both Rand and King could learn a value lesson from this. On my third attempt I just hit a wall and I gave up. I was more than half way through and surrendered. Hopefully this time I will see it through to the end. If I could survive reading the tedium of The Lord of the Rings I can survive Atlas Shrugged.

[SkittleMitts]

Oh my god i havent seen you in years and suddenly you pop up in my feed with this. You were the person to make me read the gargoyle and i will always appreciate you for that.

[LetsReadSFF]

I enjoyed Atlas Shrugged and it's characters even though I think the thought experiment has a lot of holes. Emotionally I was very caught up in Dangy Taggarts personal journey. The overall feel is fantastic, and exists in my head as an art-deco science fiction fever dream.

[xlDysenterylx]

I became a devourer of audiobooks some time ago when i drove a taxi for five years. Since then, I generally prefer audiobooks to reading.

I also listened to this same audiobook rather than reading the book. I loved it. I think this book really changed my perspective on a lot of things. I'm no Rand cultist or anything, but I never considered the cost of some of my views before reading this. That makes it a work of great value in my estimation.

[pettender]

Very good review. For more about her particular philosophy, her interview with Mike Wallace in 1959 is eye opening. You’ll find it on YouTube.

[bheartsbooks]

I read Anthem last year. It was one of my favorite books! It’s a book about the importance of individualism. It’s pretty short, but so much story packed in. I tried to read another book by her, but it was way over my head.

[neilturner]

Very good to hear your thoughts and experience of this as I’ve tentatively started listening to ‘The Fountainhead’. As you mention, there seem to be so many important elements in both books that I find myself having to go back to the beginning incase I’ve missed something. With 30 or 40 hours ahead it’s likely to take me years to finish but I’m intrigued enough to push on. Something very unique about Ayn Rand’s style and thinking.

[pettender]

Good review. You just prompted me to check out the audiobook from my library and listen to it again. Thank you!

[tomlabooks]

Very interesting video. I also don’t know anything about the book, but living in California I hear this book often quoted with even more hate and contempt than “Mein Kampf”, which is of course dumb, but then it was Truman Capote who said “I lose an IQ point for every year I spend in California” : )

[DKFynn]

Maybe a few weeks ago, I watched a very interesting video that was basically an endorsement of Atlas Shrugged (among other things).

What was interesting was that the video was made by a fan of someone I follow (her name's Karen). The person who made the video estimated Karen's Myers-Briggs personality to be an INFP.

But, in the fan's opinion, Karen would be able to do so much more if she were an INTP (moved from Feeling to Thinking), and the fan recommended Karen read Atlas Shrugged.

Because the video made such an impression upon me, yesterday, I started reading Atlas Shrugged.

What I've done in the past is read and listen at the same time, and I may have to do that with this book. I'm also a slow reader, and I find the combination of reading and listening to be a more immersive experience.

[nicholasjones]

Chapter length is annoying if I want to read one in each sitting but apart from that I’m finding it an enjoyable story. Enjoyable enough to want to read some of rands other novels.

[Melanie-xpvp]

Interesting to hear your thoughts. I will definitely go with the audiobook if I ever read this one I think. I read We The Living, Rand's second novel, a few years ago and loved it. I've heard it described as the only 'true novel' she ever wrote, and yet it always seems to be forgotten about, which is such a shame.

[njdinostar]

(my previous comment sounded really hostile, but I want you to know that my hostility is entirely towards Ayn Rand, and not to you, I actually really enjoyed watching your vlog, and it's nice to hear about the story of the book and how you felt about it!)

[Jerry-bf]

Dang I was hoping to understand it more after listening to you. But after listening, i understand more why that isn't so. Looks like I'll have to read it to fully understand it.👍

[rausaen]

I haven't read it, but I've heard mixed things about it, and Ayn Rand.

[cxa]

I finished the audiobook. It took me a few months.

[tomdownesg]

Thank you for a thoughtful, neutral (i.e. seems unbiased) review.
Very few reviews of the novel are remotely neutral.

[evelinehecklinger]

I love Scott Brick, he is a great narrator.

[PicklesReads]

I have trouble saying how much I enjoyed Atlas Shrugged because the writing is so good but Ayn Rand's philosophy is abhorrent and I don't want people to confuse my admiration of this novel with admiration of objectivism.
One of my favourite scenes from the book is when the brother is standing on a train platform wishing that he had a friend on whom he could lean on, literally and figuratively, because he is just so weary and tired. It really connected with me at the point in my life when I read that.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.