Customer Reviews

The Early Ayn Rand

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As the introduction to this book states, it is not meant for the unseasoned reader of Ayn Rand. This book is meant for people who have read Rand's books and are interested in further writings by this masterful writer or insight into the ealy workings of this great mind. As the introduction also states, Rand wrote most of these plays and short stories never meaning for them to be published. Most of them have little philosophic underpinnings outside of the presentation of heroic characters. This book is a wonderful supliment for people who have read and enjoyed Rand's books and revel in the worlds that she creates. At times the plots of the short fiction presented here are a tad simplistic, but they are fun. A good book if you can't get enough of Rand

This collection of literature is absolutely wonderful, so long as you realize that they will not be as polished as Rand's more famous works such as Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead. I still give it five stars because these early works cannot be compared to her later works, as while they still share a similar philosophy, they are not comparable.

That being said, there are stories that will make you cry and smile, and for those of us who enjoy reading literature composed by someone who so valued the human spirit at its best, they are a wealth of insight and enjoyment into Rand's world.

I have enjoyed every book that Ayn Rand has published, and I was so happy to read her first works. Yes, they were a bit shaky with the grammer and such, but the true brilliance of Rand's idea and beliefs show through. Anyone who has read anything of Ayn Rand should read this as well.

Though it's obvioulsy not Atlas or Fountainhead, this is a good read. For anyone who's looking for more Rand Fiction, it's short, interesting, and enjoyable. The style IS in some ways similar to O. Henry, which was an added bonus. Because, hey...I loved O. Henry. Though the book may not be as life altering as some of her others, it is still a very enjoyable collection. (And if you haven't read O. Henry, read him too.)

It is interesting reading early works by Ayn Rand after reading her later works to see how she has grown into her style.

I read this book as if it were the last one she had written. I savored the stories, the characters, the sometimes enevitable plots. I grew up with Ayn. First I read Anthem, then The Fountainhead, and then Atlas Shrugged.(These over the course of my teen years.) I believed that what she said was true. Yes, I have matured and realized life is not quite so perfect as I wished it could be as Ayn had expressed it. However, I have found that if I expect the best from life, and except nothing less, then that is what I will recieve. I think that is all Ayn ever intended to say. Yes, she seemed to make it all complicated and profound, but all in all she just wanted what was the best and what was right. Don't we all?? YOU determine what is right and best for you. It doesn't have to match anyone else. I just happen to match Ayn. Have you read We the Living? If you have not please do. I think this is as close to Ayn as you will ever get. Yes, she is an idealist and a capitalist to the nth degree. Ahhhh, but to believe in something so strongly, that is admirable.

THIS BOOK IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO KNOW AYN RAND AND ARE HUNGRY FOR EVERY WORD SHE HAS WRITTEN. FOR THOSE NEW TO AYN RAND, STAY AWAY - CHOOSE ONE OF HER MORE FAMOUS AND POPULAR NOVELS. MOST OF THE WRITING IN THIS BOOK IS AMATEURISH AND EMBARASSING TO READ - EVEN FOR ME, A STUDENT OF HER PHILOSOPHY. HOWEVER, EVEN IN THESE POORLY WRITTEN PIECES, MISS RAND'S PHILOSOPHY AND STYLE ARE VISIBLE. THE MOST INTERESTING ASPECT OF THESE SHORT STORIES, PLAYS AND PIECES IS TO SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MISS RAND'S WRITING - FROM POOR GRAMMER, SENTENCE STYLE AND STRUCTURE ( THAT OF A FOREIGNER WITH NO COMMAND OF THE LANGUAGE) TO THE WRITINGS OF SOMEONE WHO HAS GREAT TALENT AND IS DESTINED TO BECOME A BEST-SELLING AUTHOR. THUS, IF YOU ARE NEW TO AYN RAND, READ ONE OF HER MAJOR WORKS!!!

The author has created poorly constructed and rather lifeless characters. Although the author has imposed much passion on her characters they still seem plastic. As for the story, well I'd rather read something else.

I believe Ayn Rand's writings are very destructive. And this isn't because of her highly un-original philosophy. No, the reason for this is the powerful grip the books has on her followers. In her books they find justification for behaving in a anti-social manner that is slowly destroying the fabric of the societies of the Western World. This egoism is supposedly derived from "reason". In the real world however there is no reason for people not to find fulfillment and meaning from helping others and caring for their family and friends. The accusation that "altruism", i.e. decency and goodness, leads to tyranny is nothing but products of a very paranoid mind. The craziest thing about this though is the fact that Ayn Rand has been raised to a saint-like status by her followers. No disagreement with her writings is ever accepted and if you disagree you are an evil communist/collectivist. To be a true individualist you must agree with everything she has ever written. Isn't this collectivism in a true sense? No, says her followers, those views are derived by reason and must therefore be share by all intelligent human beings. Pretty scary!! Note that Objectivism, like Marxism, Freudianism and Jungianism, is a closed system of thought in the sense that any critisism of the system is automatically seen as a symptom of unreason. This is what makes Objectivism a religion rather than a philosophy or scientific method. And this is also the reason for the fanatical behavior of her disciples.