Sam Strives For 55 - Week Eight

​Here is week 8 of Sam's reading journey, the metrics and first week can be found here

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

1. Intrigue 
   1. Initially, as the novel develops, Atlas Shrugged seems like a straightforward literary novel about general, albeit extremely well-written, dysfunction in society. As the novel progresses it becomes clear the story is an allegory for Rand’s personal philosophy about life. A philosophy, called objectivism, which many people have taken on for themselves. If the book stayed more within the lanes of an exploration of people who reflect objectivism then this reader could have given it a star for intrigue, but the book’s narrative turns to an almost propaganda like level of promotion for objectivism. 
2. Writing style
   1. Rand’s style for description, dialogue, characterization, plot development, especially in the first half of the book is masterful. The pages come to life, whether or not you like what you’re reading. 
   2. Juicy quote: 
      1. “If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.”
3. Flow of Storytelling 
   1. If you are a big proponent of the individual over the group, aka ethical egoism and individualism, and metaphysical realism this book probably comes across as one of the great hero stories. Indeed many think so, and Atlas Shrugged has influenced many politicians and celebrities. However, coming from this reader, who disagrees wholeheartedly with ethical egoism and individualism, this book feels more like an un-nuanced view on the way life is, and the way life ought to be. Especially during the time of COVID, when the reader knows people who’ve passed away from the disease, asserting that the individual’s right usperps the collective feels misplaced at best. 
4. Re-readability 
   1. Again this depends on how you feel about Rand’s philosophy. For me, I have no need to read this book again. I’ve read and studied it enough to understand the arguments made and how I feel about it. 
5. TESS
   1. Does not qualify. 

Final Rating: ★

J. Sam Williams is an illustrious black-tailed hawk, longing to eat as many vegan mice as possible. In his human form, he is a High School English Teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lives with his wife, one dog and two cats. A somewhat retired breakdancing teacher, he is now a co-host on the Alohomora Podcast! He has been published on Lunch Ticket, immix: a journal for justice, Mugglenet, and a slew of small sports journalism publications. You can find him on twitter @Jabbernator.