He lived in the dark ages of the future. In a loveless world he dared to love the woman of his choice. In an age that had lost all trace of science and civilization he had the courage to seek and find knowledge. But these were not the crimes for which he would be hunted. He was marked for death because he had committed the unpardonable sin: he had stood forth from the mindless human herd. He was a man alone.
Ayn Rand’s classic tale of a future dark age of the great “We,” in which individuals have no name, no independence, and no values, anticipates her later masterpieces, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged
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"A chilling view of a most despicable society where an individual's worth is determined at face value and individual feelings are a capital offense judged without jury. This book is a terrifying dystopia and I would recommend it to anyone that likes this genre."
— David (4 out of 5 stars)
“This is the most beautiful, the most inspiring novel this reviewer has ever read. It is an ethical and philosophical rather than a religious dedication to freedom and the individual.”
— Joan DeArmond, Fact Forum News“Contains much food for thought. It is original and powerful, and the author has made good use of the theme.”
— East Anglian Daily Times" Enjoyed Rand's ideals of liberating oppressed individuality. Be yo'self! "
— Scott, 2/14/2014" Ayn Rand is a whacko, weirdly chauvinistic woman, and a product of her childhood surroundings. Two stars for some interesting/clever literary style points like lack of punctuation and we vs. I language (which I have learned she probably ripped off), and because the writing itself is competent even if the content is cray-cray. "
— Readread, 2/12/2014" Loved this book for the language element. "
— Mariya, 1/29/2014" I enjoyed her perspectives of individualism and satire of religion, though found the storyline flat. Not necessary flat in plot, as plot is not necessary for her point, but flat in her strength. "
— Louise, 1/25/2014" i liked it up to the end with the word ego "
— Jonathan, 1/23/2014" Published ten years before Orwell's Nineteen Eight-Four, this is the original dystopian tale. Fiercely individualistic. "
— Drinu, 1/22/2014" interesting, quick-reading, and heavy-handed dystopian novella. the ending was far too messianic and wrapped-in-a-neat-package for me. but the details and world she created were fascinating. "
— Brent, 1/20/2014" This book is great and surreal! it gets confusing at some points you just have to stay I'm track with the reading. I would hope you all would give this book a chance(: "
— Julia, 1/19/2014" Loved this book for the language element. "
— Mariya, 1/15/2014" as usual, ayn rand doesn't know how to end her books. this time with weird sci fi stuff! "
— Zenkalia, 1/15/2014" Really liked it, but it was hard for me to get into due to the way they spoke. I also really wanted more and I feel like the story wasn't actually finished. Other than that I really liked it. "
— Mike, 1/11/2014" It was a interesting book. I liked it. It is something I recommend to people if you like adventure/ action/ romance books! The thing I loved about his book is the ending. "
— Kenzie, 12/13/2013" Beyond the political philosophy, it is an obvious influence on contemporary young adult dystopian fiction. "
— Anna, 12/4/2013" Beautiful and concise declaration of individualism. "
— Anna, 11/21/2013" I thought Anthem was an okay book, but I wanted a more exciting ending. "
— Haniah, 11/13/2013" It was different, I loved it! I really got to see how wonderful individuality is. "
— Kyla, 11/8/2013" This book is really difficult to read. It is very confusing when she substitutes the word 'we' for 'I' all the time, especially when there are more than two characters involved. It's just poor grammar. "
— Preston, 10/18/2013" She was long before her time in her way of thinking. A quick and pithy read. A wonderful addition to anyone who's into philosophy or the power of the self. "
— Levi, 9/30/2013" I agree with the publisher who rejected this early Rand manuscript with the note, "The author does not understand socialism." However the first half of the novella is a decent read, in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi kinda way. "
— Beccue, 7/8/2013" I enjoyed her perspectives of individualism and satire of religion, though found the storyline flat. Not necessary flat in plot, as plot is not necessary for her point, but flat in her strength. "
— Louise, 4/3/2013" Not the best thing I've read but a worthy read nonetheless. "
— John, 3/26/2013" I read this as an audiobook. It is what it is, a novel of a dystopian future. Ayn Rand grew up in a very repressive society, and planned this as a play when she was a teenager. A short and interesting read. "
— Mike, 3/11/2013" The only novel I ever liked "
— Michael, 3/7/2013" I didn't get it. Sometimes the writers back in the day are hard to understand. It must of been great then but today not so much for this girl. "
— Roxann, 2/26/2013" Having never read Ayn Rand (and meaning to read her one of these days), I thought I'd pick her up now that a VP pick is a devotee. I have to laugh that the party of GOD, the GOP, would pick a nominee who follows her tenants. Pretty hilarious, actually...the anthem should be: "Assholes, unite!" "
— Denise, 1/27/2013" Pretty interesting concept! Makes you think a little an is entertaining at the same time. Highly recommend it! "
— Kevin, 1/25/2013" I love this book. I love teaching this book. If you read this in school and didn't like it, shame on your teacher...he/she has done you a disservice. "
— Robyn, 1/11/2013" An interesting political view and with good points, but not an engaging story. "
— Rachel, 12/11/2012" A Fahrenheit 451 like read "
— sarg, 10/18/2012" You can really tell this is an earlier work of hers.....Mason is reading for his Language Arts class, and I thought I would give it a whirl. I definitely enjoyed Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead more. "
— Samantha, 7/31/2012" Good book. Makes you think. Has some interesting parts that you may want to skip but it is none the less good. "
— Ty, 6/25/2012" An adult version of The Giver. Even though it was written in the 1940's, many of its themes are currently relevant. "
— Marina, 5/31/2012" Thought provoking. Interesting a society that forces people to work for the good of the group eliminates the concept of love. Falling in love is the greatest joy and I would not want to be in a society without it. "
— Noah, 5/26/2012" I liked it! It wasnt the best book in the world, but becuase I had to read it for a school summer assignment I was pretty happy with the way things turned out and it wasnt boring! Its a little confusing at first though. "
— Allie, 4/10/2012" Read this book in an hour. It was very confusing for the first few chapters, but then I got it. Very good book. "
— Elena, 3/21/2012" I learned that individuality is something that is part of you and the moment it is taken away you no longer own a life. When a society takes away your individuality you are no longer free you are oppressed. "
— Analynevarez, 2/5/2012" Deindividuation is the saddest thing in the world. "
— Shahd, 10/10/2011" Ayn rand's easiest read. Deals with individualism from not only the state but also mindlessness and the status quo. "
— Andrew, 9/19/2011" Very interesting concept using 'we' instead of 'I' for most of the book "
— Zoe, 9/19/2011" Dystopia story, interesting but predictable. "
— Lara, 9/6/2011" Even class assigned i completely adored this book unlike most of my fellow classmates, the book was well written and is obviously a timeless classic i would recommend to anyone! "
— Caffeine, 8/21/2011" One of the best books I've ever read! "
— Emma, 6/28/2011" It's a great idea to touch upon. However, something is missing and wanting in this story. It didn't touch me the way I expected it to. "
— Irina, 6/28/2011" One of the best books I've ever read! "
— Emma, 6/28/2011" It's a great idea to touch upon. However, something is missing and wanting in this story. It didn't touch me the way I expected it to. "
— Irina, 6/28/2011" One of the best books I've ever read! "
— Emma, 6/28/2011" It's a great idea to touch upon. However, something is missing and wanting in this story. It didn't touch me the way I expected it to. "
— Irina, 6/28/2011" Ayn Rand blew my mind with this. Confusing at first, but impacting by the end. "
— Jess, 6/27/2011" Ayn Rand blew my mind with this. Confusing at first, but impacting by the end. "
— Jess, 6/27/2011" Ayn Rand blew my mind with this. Confusing at first, but impacting by the end. "
— Jess, 6/27/2011" Compelling and compact. I was sad to see this one end when it did. "
— Rebecca, 6/24/2011" Compelling and compact. I was sad to see this one end when it did. "
— Rebecca, 6/24/2011" Compelling and compact. I was sad to see this one end when it did. "
— Rebecca, 6/24/2011" I don't understand why there are so many bad reviews for this, it's a far cry from the horrors of the Twilight saga. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this book, it's not the best book ever, but it definitely isn't what the rest of you make it to be. "
— Jessica, 6/17/2011" I don't understand why there are so many bad reviews for this, it's a far cry from the horrors of the Twilight saga. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this book, it's not the best book ever, but it definitely isn't what the rest of you make it to be. "
— Jessica, 6/17/2011" I don't understand why there are so many bad reviews for this, it's a far cry from the horrors of the Twilight saga. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this book, it's not the best book ever, but it definitely isn't what the rest of you make it to be. "
— Jessica, 6/17/2011" Other than the clipped ending, I thought the book was great! I imagine myself rewritting her ending over and over so that it would be perfect. "
— Anna, 6/16/2011" Other than the clipped ending, I thought the book was great! I imagine myself rewritting her ending over and over so that it would be perfect. "
— Anna, 6/16/2011" Other than the clipped ending, I thought the book was great! I imagine myself rewritting her ending over and over so that it would be perfect. "
— Anna, 6/16/2011" Maybe, if we hadn't expected so much from our first reading of Ayn Rand, we would not have been so disappointed. We're not sure, though. We don't much like being preached at, by anythem. <br/> <br/>Heh. "
— Chy, 6/15/2011" Maybe, if we hadn't expected so much from our first reading of Ayn Rand, we would not have been so disappointed. We're not sure, though. We don't much like being preached at, by anythem. <br/> <br/>Heh. "
— Chy, 6/15/2011" Maybe, if we hadn't expected so much from our first reading of Ayn Rand, we would not have been so disappointed. We're not sure, though. We don't much like being preached at, by anythem. <br/> <br/>Heh. "
— Chy, 6/15/2011Ayn Rand (1905–1982) was born in Russia, graduated from the University of Leningrad, and came to the United States in 1926. She published her first novel in 1936. With the publication of The Fountainhead in 1943, she achieved a spectacular and enduring success, and her unique philosophy, Objectivism, gained a worldwide following.
Christopher Lane is an award-winning actor, director, and narrator. He has been awarded the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration several times and has won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards.