Anthem
"A dystopian fiction novella by Ayn Rand, first published in 1938. It takes place at some unspecified future date when mankind has entered another dark age as a result of the evils of irrationality and collectivism and the weaknesses of socialistic thinking and economics."--Wikipedia
hey reach their fifteenth year. Then they go to work. In the Home of the Students we arose when the big bell rang in the tower and we went to our beds when it rang again. Before we removed our garments, we stood in the great sleeping hall, and we raised our right arms, and we said all together with the three Teachers at the head:
"We are nothing. Mankind is all. By the grace of our brothers are we allowed our lives. We exist through, by and for our brothers who are the State. Amen."
Then we slept. The sleeping halls were white and clean and bare of all things save one hundred beds.
We, Equality 7-2521, were not happy in those years in the Home of the Students. It was not that the learning was too hard for us. It was that the learning was too easy. This is a great sin, to be born with a head which is too quick. It is not good to be different from our brothers, but it is evil to be superior to them. The Teachers told us so, and they frowned when they looked upon us.
So we fought against thi
Reviews
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A cross beteeen science ficton and current events.
Thought provoking and enjoyable read.
A touching story of self-doubt, mental suffering and self-discovery!
I wish this could be read by all HS students!
I did not find the resolution predictable, it could have gone any number of ways, and I hung on for the ride all the way. The character speaking as he did in his 'society' was very moving.
Recommended to any age person!
Wonderful story, only reason i'm not getting it is because i've read it about six times
This is an interesting read (I almost wrote screed :-).
Most of the prose is written in first person plural, which makes for lyrical and quaint sentence constructions that sound nearly biblical in their peculiarity. The character(s) are likable and admirable. The plot is mostly pleasant and predictably standard science fiction: misunderstood hero rises above circumstances to find love and truth.
The biggest flaw in the book is the philosophical false dilemma presented in the last two chapters. Rand describes two possible human societies: one based on grey socialistic uniformity and the other of prismatic individuality. The book would have been more interesting if there had been more options that were presented, and in a more nuanced way.
"...I have lived in the City of the damned, and I know what horror men permitted to be brought upon them."
A wonderful tale of the triumph of the human spirit.
Ayn rand at her best!!
one cant stop thinking once he/she reads the book
The monologue at the end was incredible. This book made me think.
Very good book I can not put it down
A classic. Written by possibly the founder of modern libertarian / pro-capitalist thought.
misguided work buy a misguided author
Very interesting. A visionary in did .
A must read. Powerful and linger on long afterward. Does it remind you of something religion ? read on.
We couldn't put it down.
