Wow....I'm actually impressed....

I finished Anthem by Ayn Rand a couple of days ago, just haven't had much time to write about it. It was actually way better than I expected it to be. I only end up liking about half of the books that are suggested to me, so I was ready for a let-down when a friend of mine let me borrow it. It takes a few pages to get adjusted to the writing style. She uses "We" for "I". But that's the point. The book is supposed to show the emergence of a free thinking, anti-society being.

All the people in the book have ever known is what the Council tells them is so. They do the same routine every day, and can't have their own thoughts unless their "brothers" think them also. I loved it when Equality...whatever his number was...made his own discoveries, and would go down the hole he found and work for hours. But the best part, to me anyway, was when he made the discovery of the word "I". He began to refer to himself as "I" instead of "We". He became an individual instead of lumping himself in with the collective. I don't think the book is meant to say that all that matters is yourself. The character clearly points out that even though the Council says that one thing is better for their "brothers", it may not be so. He discovers things that furthers himself, but also would benefit others as well. I think the point is finding the balance. Not letting others dictate your life. I wish I had the book with me, because there were some really great quotes in the end that I would love to include.

All in all, it was a great book that was easy to follow and had a great message.