Anthem by Ayn Rand
I forced myself through this book for two reasons:
1. I’ve always wanted to read something by Ayn Rand.
2. The novella is public domain, so it is free on the iBookstore
Anthem is set in a dystopian future (I love a good dose of dystopian fiction if you haven’t guessed it by now). Rand’s writing in this particular work is unique and daring, especially considering that Anthem was published in 1938. What makes it so different? The futuristic society has no conception of “I.” All manner of individuality has been stamped out over the years.
I’ve seen complaints about how it is hard to follow because the main character refers to himself as “we” instead of “I” and “he” as “they.” I found it refreshing. If done right, experiments in writing (such as point of view and setting) are a thrill to read–this is coming from someone who has read her fair share of bad paperweights!
Anthem follows the plight of a young man stuck in a pluralistic society that has lost all of the scientific and technological advances that mankind once boasted of. Relics from mankind’s illusive past are banned, and citizens are prohibited from straying off the path laid before them by the Council of Vocation.
The council makes him a street sweeper, dashing his hopes of becoming a scholar. However, it doesn’t stop him from pursuing knowledge. Upon the discovery of an ancient, man-made tunnel, he begins conducting experiments of his own. Marvels dazzle his mind, and even though he finds himself falling for a woman, he continues his quest for knowledge.
He eventually discovers the secret to electricity. Excited that this innovation will benefit his brethren, he has plans to take it to the Council of Scholars.
It sounds exciting, doesn’t it? The fun ends there.
Once he flees from the Council of Scholars, he turns into a running version of Ayn Rand, spouting her chilling viewpoint from every last corner in his mind. Anthem stops being an entertaining work of fiction and transforms into a terrible attempt at political commentary.
Some of “his” thoughts made my skin crawl. I found it ironic (and hilarious), that while “he” was spouting off Rand’s pure objectivism, he treated his love interest like property. The scene where he said that they needed to pick names for themselves because they were individuals made me want to delete the novella right then and there. Why? In the next heartbeat, he forced a name on her.
If you want to delve into Anthem, my recommendation is to read it up until the Council of Scholars refuses his discovery. You are better off writing your own ending for it.
I give it 2/5 Is.
The only reason I gave it an extra I is because the first half was enjoyable.
