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Book Review: We the Living by Ayn Rand
Aug. 23rd, 2006 04:35 pmTitle: We the Living
Author: Ayn Rand
Published: New York: Penguin Books, 1995 (1936)
Page Count: 433
Total Page Count: 28,329
Text Number: 82
Read For: my own enjoyment, checked out from the library
Short review: Set in Communist Russia but as a commentary on all social movements that aim to degrade the individual man, We the Living is the story of Kira, a idealistic and independent young woman from a "bourgeoisie" family, and the two men in her life: Leo, an indifferent but also individualistic young man, and Andrei, a youth leader in the Communist party. Not long after the revolution, Communism rules Russia. Kira's family, once aristocratic and wealthy, flounders under "proletariat" rule. Throughout society, men scramble for jobs, women wait in line for scarce and low-quality food, and everyone is smothered by a society that promises new freedoms and equality but offers little. Kira refuses to succumb to the communist message or principles, instead opting to study architecture out of the pure, selfish desire to do what she loves. Initially, consumed in her study, things go well, but when she falls in love with Leo she is suddenly dragged into conflict with the state. Meanwhile, she forms a strong friendship with Andrei—although they stand on opposing sides of the revolution, they share the same soul. Bit by bit, Kira must sacrifice herself and her morals in order to stay afloat in a society she hates and support a man that she loves. Ultimately, We the Living is the story of the fragile, indomitable spirit of man: no matter what they face, Kira, Leo, and Andrei maintain individuality and spirit, yet Communism erodes their power and makes their goals impossible to achieve. This is her first book, and so Rand's writing style hasn't fully matured, but the characters are realistic, the plot sympathetic, and the story's purpose threatening, frightening, and uplifting all at the same time.
( Long review. )
Review posted here at Amazon.com.
Author: Ayn Rand
Published: New York: Penguin Books, 1995 (1936)
Page Count: 433
Total Page Count: 28,329
Text Number: 82
Read For: my own enjoyment, checked out from the library
Short review: Set in Communist Russia but as a commentary on all social movements that aim to degrade the individual man, We the Living is the story of Kira, a idealistic and independent young woman from a "bourgeoisie" family, and the two men in her life: Leo, an indifferent but also individualistic young man, and Andrei, a youth leader in the Communist party. Not long after the revolution, Communism rules Russia. Kira's family, once aristocratic and wealthy, flounders under "proletariat" rule. Throughout society, men scramble for jobs, women wait in line for scarce and low-quality food, and everyone is smothered by a society that promises new freedoms and equality but offers little. Kira refuses to succumb to the communist message or principles, instead opting to study architecture out of the pure, selfish desire to do what she loves. Initially, consumed in her study, things go well, but when she falls in love with Leo she is suddenly dragged into conflict with the state. Meanwhile, she forms a strong friendship with Andrei—although they stand on opposing sides of the revolution, they share the same soul. Bit by bit, Kira must sacrifice herself and her morals in order to stay afloat in a society she hates and support a man that she loves. Ultimately, We the Living is the story of the fragile, indomitable spirit of man: no matter what they face, Kira, Leo, and Andrei maintain individuality and spirit, yet Communism erodes their power and makes their goals impossible to achieve. This is her first book, and so Rand's writing style hasn't fully matured, but the characters are realistic, the plot sympathetic, and the story's purpose threatening, frightening, and uplifting all at the same time.
( Long review. )
Review posted here at Amazon.com.
