Atlas Shrugged
I read a lot. Really, more than most people can imagine. In addition to blogs etc. I usually go through one short novel a day. I have read a lot of science fiction, mystery, horror, but also a lot of what i consider “classic” stuff, the Iliad, the divine comedy, early science fiction. I read manuals, I read technical literature on products relating to my field.
It has come to my attention that I have some gaping holes in my library, and i’m attempting to fill them; one, the works of Ayn Rand, the other, the works of CS Lewis. Since I’ve gotten somewhat ahead of my reading list I’ve decided to interject the Ayn Rand, and I must say, what a monumental waste of time.
I’m reading Atlas Shrugged, and it is unspeakably tedious. I’m sure the concept was to paint people in an over the top way, to cement your hatred for them, or respect for them, but my god almighty. I already know people like the “liberals” in the book, and I hated them already, I didn’t need it shoved down my throat at mach 4. I also know that the Reardons of “Atlas Shrugged” do not exist in real life- decent, good men who are driven to empires? Reardon would have been undermined by assholes LONG before he became the empire builder he is shown as.
I’ll finish this, and do so with as open a mind as I can muster, but I fear that my interest in reading anything else by miss rand will be tainted. Hell, I’m enjoying the new translation of Beowulf more.
On the brighter side, it looks like I’ll enjoy Mr Lewis a great deal.
14 comments Og | Uncategorized
Chronicles of Narnia, though clearly written for the juvenile crowd, still a joy to read after all these years. And hey, the first film is coming out soon…
I consider Atlas Shrugged to be a classic example of why the world needs good editors. A good editor whould have cut that book in half, and improved it considerably.
Another example? Read the unedited version of Stepthen King’s The Stand. Horrible. The edited version is splendid.
speaking of…
Incidentally, Ayn Rand was a lot more effective when it didn’t seem like 3/4 of the world was in the villain camp. When I first read it, I was confused and couldn’t imagine that such people might exist. Now I see them every day.
Tanya: AHHHH HAHAHAHAHAH!!!! HAHAHAH!!!
nicely done.
That wasn’t mine, by the way. Marc’s brilliant – and I think the fact that he wrote it today is a total coincidence.
Og, Ayn Rand is meant for a certain stage of life. You are well past that stage as are most of the rest of us.
Rich
I suspect Rich would say that about the Narnia books too, though…
i hope you enjoy CS Lewis as much as i did – what a wonderful writer! enjoy :)
You should have started with “The Fountainhead” about 20 or 30 years ago. I did, and Ayn Rand changed my life.
I can see where this would have more impact when I was younger.
more for your list, go get the 2004 translation (not the old boring ones) of Gilgamesh, it’s a ton of fun.
Funny you would mention Stephen King. I was thinking of “It” while reading that post. That was at least twice as long as necessary. I got King’s book on writing (I recommend it), and that’s about all the King I will need for a long time.
I must agree with Acidhead on this one. (And we so RARELY agree that it must mean something!)
Fountainhead is definitely the better of the two. Yes, it could still be edited down, and you may end up skimming the soapbox speeches, but you must appreciate the strength and development of the characters. Very unique.
(I did get through Atlas Shrugged, but it was a bit of a let down after The Fountainhead.)