Cerebral Shangrila

Saturday, December 04, 2004

Anthem by Ayn Rand - Book Review

Ayn Rand never ceases to amaze me. In Anthem, she talks about a dark future where individuals have no name,independence and individuality has ceased to exist. It is a scathing attack on totalianarism & communism where everything gets decided by the committee .In a World where" we" reigns supreme , Rand asks the people to rise upto their " I " .Rand's thought provoking idea is against normal sentiments (Classic case of East Vs West - Society Vs Individual). In a world where " ego" is a bad word , Rand argues its only individuality & Ego which carry forward the mankind. In fact this novel was originally titled " Ego" .

At the root of this fabulous work lies mankind's struggle to find freedom,thought& individuality.This work is also the seed for Rand's famous later books like Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged.If you are a Rand fan do not miss this book.

Some quotes from the book :

" I am . I think. I will."

" I am a man.This miracle of me is mine to own and keep,and mine to guard,and mine to use,and mine to kneel before!"

" I do not surrender my treasures,nor do I share them.The fortune of my spirit is not to be blown into coins of brass and flung to the winds as alms for the poor of the spirit.I guard my treasures:my thoughts,my will,my freedom.And the greatest of these is freedom".

" I owe nothing to my brothers,nor do I gather debts from them.I ask none to live for me,nor do I live for any others.I covet no man's soul,nor is my soul theirs to covet".


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