Atlas Shrugged - early observations and a question

It took me a long time to read it. I think I even took a month + break the first time I read it. There are some sections where Rand goes into incredibly long and deep philosophical explanation or description of things. A few are boring and hard to get through through there are some that are incredibly rich and meaningful. The plot itself develops slowly and doesn’t begin to take shape until 1/3- 1/2 way through the book, but you can still sense the themes and where it is heading early on.

I’m biased it is my favorite book. It made me have a completely different attitude on personal responsibility, pride and capitalism. Stick with it!

Not there yet but of course it about Who Is John Gault?

Really the only reason to read Ayn Rand is to say that you have. It certainly isn’t for the writing, and there are better pieces on libertarian philosophy. It’s a huge time suck. If you don’t care to tell people you’ve read it, then I wouldn’t waste my time.

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Quite frankly, no. But I believe Ayn Rand to be one of the worst writers of narrative I've ever encountered. Many disagree, somehow. It makes no sense to me.

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I agree with you. I've read pretty much all of her works, but the fiction is just bad. I never recommend Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead. My advice is to read her non-fiction Philosophy: Who Needs It and if that resonates then try the fiction but do not expect to be wowed by her story-telling.

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Ayn Rand was a huge hypocrite.

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She was a hypocrite for sure, but I don't think that takes away from her work. I hate the fact that Social Security exists, personally, but since the system exists I plan on participating. It's fair to hold her to a higher standard.

Book needed an editor!!

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She was forced to pay into it—are you saying that she shouldn’t have tried to get her contributions back? You can say, “you shouldn’t steal from me” and also accept the money back when it comes without being a hypocrite

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From what I've read, she and her husband Frank needed the assistance. Is she hypocritical for extolling the virtue of being self-reliant where you never need the charity of others only to accept it later in life because she did not achieve her ideal? Answer that and there you have it.

As I've said, I'm not a fan of Social Security but plan on fully participating because I was forced to pay into the system. Having said that, I also have lived my life in a way that I would never NEED to rely on receiving Social Security or Medicare. That was purposeful because I don't believe in it and don't trust our politicians. Whether or not you believe she is a hypocrite or not, it's poor optics for Ayn Rand to accept what she so loudly denounced.

It's a really bad book. Every character is militant and cartoonish, and the philosophical elements are poorly drawn. Go actually read Moby Dick instead.