We the Living by Ayn Rand Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of We the Living
Book Review: 'Who is not with us - is against us!'
Summary: 4 Stars
We The Living is a masterfully crafted tragedy recounting the life of Kira Argounova. Kira, born at the revolutionary dawn of the Soviet Union, is continually alone. Likewise she is doomed to live and die in a dismally solitary existence made even more lonesome by the presence of two men. One is Leo a former aristocrat-turned-dishonest and the other is Andrei the Communist. The men could not be any more disparate in their inadequacies, feelings and ideology. And yet they share Kira, which is a common theme for Ayn Rand: the book's hero(ine) is simultaneously involved with more than one lover . Notwithstanding that, as the protagonists, Kira and Leo are graceful, agile and sharp.The setting is an abusive state which believes its contribution to its citizens and the world so great as to exceed any kind of justification.
Well-written and eloquent, Kira is exaggerated and yet thankfully disruptive. Romantic and tragic twists and turns follow, but Kira's character is always as dismal and wretched as the book. In this context it is remarkable how Kira unselfishly serves Leo while Ayn Rand goes on to make a career as the advocate for the mantra of narcissism.
Despite Rand's protestations, We The Living is about the Soviet Union - one tainted by her personal outlook. While her Objectivist philosophy has not been fully developed here, it exists at the underlying and subconscious level. Which explains why We The Living remains as Rand's most explicitly political novel. Of course, with passion and resolve running through her, she never paused to consider how the USSR is not what Marx had in mind. Which is just as well, because as noted We The Living lives off the author's unbridled commitment to her conviction. For Rand's world is ultimately made only of two shades, Soviet red and Capitalist eden.
"Comrade burglars, please don't bother. There's nothing inside"
Book Review: ?
Summary: 5 Stars
Ayn Rand created a beautiful expression here. Personally, I've never known her better, than at 2:00 AM last evening when I finshed this work. I've been a big fan of Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, admittedly full of obvious characters and grueling tirades. Subtlety is not always the benchmark by which I judge a book. So for that difference, I've loved these books, where many experienced readers have felt a nauseating boredom. "We the living" is just a fantastic expression of a talented and driven young woman (Ayn Rand). I think the average reader will really enjoy it.Book Review: A Harsh Look at Communist Russia
Summary: 5 Stars
That so many people find this their favorite of Ayn Rand's work is not surprising; of all of her novels, this is the most straightforward. The narrative carries the story forward, rather than the philosophy, and a great narrative it is. Rand manages to encompass almost all of the dreariness and paranoia of Stalinist Russia by following the lives of three young people involved in a love triangle of sorts. We the Living explains why Rand took such "harsh" stances in favor of capitalism - she lived the alternative, and found it repugnant in the extreme. Highly recommended.Book Review: A Moving First Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
A page-turner and tear-jerker that conveys the immense strength of will of one woman struggling to live a human life, and who falls in love, while under a totalitarian dictatorship. Whatever happens to Kira, her spirit remains uncompromised. An intense early treatment of Ayn Rand's theme of individualism vs. collectivism examined more thoroughly (among other themes) in her later brilliant works.Book Review: A Very Realistic Novel
Summary: 4 Stars
I was not surprised at all to find reviews that only attacked Ayn Rand's vivid account on Soviet Russia. As a 14 year old, I read The Fountainhead and taking into consideration the disgust of society on Gail Wynand makes me perfectly understand why I could only find bad reviews on We the Living. I similarly noticed that reviewers did not enjoy the novel because it was "too depressing." Well I would believe that Soviet Russia in the early 20th century was not exactly roses and sunshine. We the Living was one of the most realistic novels I have ever read. This was actually my very first introduction to Ayn Rand and made me admire Ayn Rand as my favorite author. The vivid descriptions of how communism destroyed Russia were amazingly intense, and her portrayal of the protagonists and antagonists elevated this level of intensity and intrigue.Many people despise Andrei for being a communist, Kira for devoting her life to an empty man, and Leo for being that empty man. I am almost positively sure that Ayn Rand already had all this in mind for her readers. Such conclusions on these characters are superficial. Andrei is labeled as a communist, but the reader must grasp the value behind this label. He is an individualist at heart, and commits suicide because he realized the waste of his life as a supporter of communism. Kira is a bold young woman pillared by ambition. What makes her a heroic character is that she never sacrifices her morals or values for her surrounding etiquette that plagued man. Leo is the complexity of the novel because he leads readers to despise both Andrei and Kira, but in the name of individualism, Andrei and Kira must be recognized as individuals and not because of an empty man.
I have never cried at any movie or any book before We the Living. The intellectual intensity collapsed at the end, and I could not help myself from sobbing because of my deep appreciation for Kira's character.
I challenge every person who detests We the Living to read it once more and think deeper of the wider meaning of this powerful message to man.