We the Living by Ayn Rand Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of We the Living
Book Review: this is Rand's masterpiece, her "signature" novel...
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not an Ayn Rand fan. Yet, this novel cannot be ignored by those that are rational and honest.
To me, every great author has a "signature novel." (For example, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is Hemingway's "signature novel.") This, to me, is Rand's "signature novel."
LOVERS OF SOCIALISM/COMMUNISM: Those that admire socialism/communism should read merely one portion of the Introduction to this splendid book. Rand wrote:
'A young Russian had said to her [Any Rand] at a party in 1926, just before she [Any Rand] left for America: "When you get there, tell them that Russia is a huge cemetery and that we are all dying."'
That was in 1926, and little did anyone know that the situation in Russia/USSR would become far worse than a cemetery.
Socialists, communists, collectivists that read this book will be challenged to defend their impeccably ludicrous, transparently preposterous belief-system. Will they admit it? No.
"We The Living" is a powerful, bleak, grim tale of "Kira Argounova," a young lady that wants to leave Russia. She faces one problem: It is illegal to leave Russia--so much so that it is punishable by death or a stint in the Gulag.
Kira Argounova will use anyone and any method to leave. She is the hero. It is a book about escaping a terrible situation at any cost.
This is Rand's most passionate, realistic and powerful novel. It is a masterpiece for those of us that have studied the history of the Soviet Union and have observed the abject repression--"repression" is a mild word for it--of those who suffered under Lenin, Stalin (who was born Iosef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili and changed his name to Stalin, meaning, literally, "made of steel"--a title that fit him well), and others.
This is her masterpiece.
This is the book that will be remembered far, far after her other works are forgotten.
I highly recommend it.
Book Review: thought-provoking and a real eye opener
Summary: 4 Stars
Have read this three or four times and have never tired. 'Twas a real eye-opener to this native-born American who grew up in a shelterd home in the 40's and 50's. This should be required reading in our high schools. Reads easier than Atlas or Fountainhead.