I'm not sure how to say without providing spoilers, so I'll just quote the book jacket. "Its a story about the man who said he'd stop the motor of the world -- and did." Beyond that . . . well, read it!

Dagny. I always hear people gripe about strong female characters (while burning their own bra . . .) and, I don't know if this will get the feminists' stamp of approval, but I think Dagny is one f the strongest female characters ever created. Of course, I'll probably be bashed to bits for that, but has that ever stopped me?



I loved the complexity of the story, it just keeps expanding and expanding until you've covered years and at least a dozen characters' lives . . . It's amazing.

Three words: sixty page monologue. I know that my brain shut off for much of that speech, but there were things to be understood from the speech, even though they had been stated time and time before within the book.



Also, near the end of the book, during the torture of a certain character, I couldn't help but mutter to myself "Already been done . . ." I mean, Stephen King's new book even has an electric shock torture device . . . it's just getting old.

Go on a brain holiday. Actually, immediately after I finished I first sat there for a minute, then I put my Treasure Planet soundtrack in my CD player, turned that up full volume, then made a sign to put in front of my bed that says "Who is John Galt?", then I couldn't sleep all night because my mind was racing with what I would put in my review. But, in the long run, this book has made me completely analyze my beliefs and ask why?

Ha, like my brain was on fire. I never get that feeling, its very invigorating. It gave me something similar to that hope that I felt after reading the Fountainhead, a hope for humanity. It also made me feel a new respect for my own mind, something I've fought my whole life to have.

Is still, in my view, a philisophical genius. Also, a thousand page book is impressive no matter who you are.

Because it's an eye-opening experience, because it's a riveting plot, because the ideas behind the story are so complex, so well thought out, and because then you'll know who John Galt is.

The length. Almost 1100 pages, its something that you have to commit yourself to. Also, like I said before, there are points where the novel seems to be trudging through mud waist deep, but its weaknesses are smashed to bits when compared to its strengths. It's something to read it you want to shake up your routine, but it is definitely not for everyone, as is true with every great literary work.

My views are mixed when it comes to the book, I plan to reread it maybe this summer or later and then revise my review of it. I think a second-go-round will clear up my opinions and allow me to give a better review.

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Created May 02, 2003 at 10:07pm • Submit your own review...