Do any of your kids read Ayn Rand novels (or have you?)

[SherryTX]

Hey there - just curious if any of the parents with older students (early teens and up) have read any of Ayn Rand's novels, such as Anthem, The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged?

 

My husband I both have, and 3 of my kids (11, 13 & 18) have read Anthem, and my 18 year old has read The Fountainhead. (My youngest - the now 11 year old, 9 and 7 year old) have also listened to Anthem on tape with me.

 

I think all three of her novels are wonderful - especially for teenagers. I haven't seen anything about her books posted here, so curious if there are other fans of Rand's work, or even other Objectivists or "students" of Objectivism on this forum?

 

Thanks!

 

Edited to add: actually I think all FOUR of her novels are wonderful. I forgot to include "We The Living" her first novel, which takes place in Russia. As a novel, that was my favorite.

My husband and I have also read several of her essays, and books about her philosophy, etc.

Edited April 2, 2009 by SherryTX

[Ria]

Ds (16) read those three for his honors English class this year (and one on her philosophy) and wrote several papers about Rand. He enjoyed the books. I read and enjoyed them years ago as well. We had some good discussions!

 

Ria

[Veronica in VA]

I read The Fountainhead in high school and Anthem when my teenage son strongly suggested I read it. Both were excellent. I haven't read Atlas Shrugged yet, but there is quite the hold list at the library. I will probably have to break down and buy it - probably will read it over the summer.

 

Veronica

[Liza Q]

I had my two teens read Anthem last year and my oldest read Atlas Shrugged this winter. These books have led to more discussions than most, but not always because we agree with Ayn Rand!

 

While we have benefited from considering her views on politics and economics, we find her views on love/marriage sort of ridiculous. Dagny - well, we would not want to know her or be anything like her.

 

And Anthem? Sorry, but the Golden One???? My girls were seriously squicked out! We laughed a lot over that book, even as it led to some great discussions about individual achievement, coercive governments, etc.

 

I realize that I know very little about Objectivism but Rand's belief that man should live "with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life" is not something I agree with. As a Christian, I believe pretty much the opposite.

 

So. I guess we think that she does a great job diagnosing the sickness but we are not on board with her cure!

[Sandra in NC]

My son read Anthem ("it should be required reading"), The Fountainhead (his favorite) and Atlas Shrugged. He's an Ayn Rand fan.

 

He read these books before I did. When he finished The Fountainhead he said, "Mom, I really liked this book and I want you to read it."

 

I liked it, too.

[Valerie in MI]

We're interested in Objectivism here. My thirteen year old and I were just studying the wikipedia article about why Ayn Rand didn't like Libertarians. That led to a dinner discussion about whether an article like that might be just one point of view and that there might be more to a subject than the latest wikipedia article. We haven't had the kids read Rand's books yet but at almost 14 my oldest is about ready for them. I can't wait to read and discuss them with them. Personally, I've always suspected that the reason you don't read much about Rand's books on serious homeschool boards is because of Rand's avowed atheism. I wonder if that doesn't turn off many people.

 

Valerie

[lotsofpumpkins]

I read The Fountainhead in high school for a scholarship contest (I had to write an essay about it). I thought it was BORING. Just to keep myself awake I turned the book upside down and read it that way (pretty challenging, BTW).

[Jenny in Florida]

I remember loving Anthem in high school, and my daughter had to read it for a class a few years ago. She loved it, too.

 

Then she did the exact same thing I did, went out and bought both Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead . . . and petered out on reading whichever it was she started first.

 

I don't know, but I just don't care over the long haul for either Rand's writing style or her philosophy.

 

Anthem is wonderful, though. I really can't wait until it's time for my son to read it and I get to discuss it all over again!

[Laura K (NC)]

I first read Atlas Shrugged when I was about 20 and I just loved it. But as I got older it lost its hold on me and now I don't care for it at all. I wish I had had a good Christian mentor when I first went through that book. I think it did a lot of damage to my weak Christian world view at the time.

 

There appears to be a new Ayn Rand movement afoot, grown, apparently, as an extreme political reaction against socialist tendencies. I think that it's altogether the wrong approach. An extreme position is not the antidote for a perceived extreme threat (I'm trying to be careful with my wording here, trying to keep the language confined to global universals and not national specifics!) We're convinced capitalists in this house, but I believe that governments and individuals do have a social and moral responsibility to take care of the poor and weak. This need not be distorted in socialism, just like capitalism need not be distorted into objectivism.

[Laura K (NC)]

I plan to have my kids read one of her books (Atlas Shrugged, probably, since it's one that I've read already) for an ethics class I'm trying to create for them. I'll have them read it in light of scripture and some Catholic papal encyclicals on social justice which see socialism, Marxism, and unbridled capitalism all as (related!) evils based on greed. I'm really looking forward to it.

[Tutor]

I read The Fountainhead last year after reading some of her articles on Objectivism in the past and liking them. I was not a huge fan of The Fountainhead. I have Atlas Shrugged on my reading list for this year (I heard much of it when dh listened to it on tape, and liked what I heard but what to read it in its entirety for myself).

 

I am not a card-carrying Objectivist but there are elements of it that I find appealing. Objectivist literature was included in the plethora of political and philosophical writing that I began reading about 7 years ago when I realized I didn't have a political or philiosophical home in any of the subcultures in which I found myself. I still don't have a "home" but I can at least spring board discussions with others by categorizing myself as libertarian with conservative anarchist leanings. :D The more reading I do, the less categorical I become. ;)

[Bee]

Now that I am older I might have a better context to put it in and I might like it. It isn't a book that stands out in my mind as a "must-read" for my children. My political beliefs (such as they were) are somewhat different now than when I was a teenager so perhaps that would color any opinion I had of the book then and now.

[Heather in the Kootenays]

 

So. I guess we think that she does a great job diagnosing the sickness but we are not on board with her cure!

 

 

Well said.

 

I loved Atlas Shrugged as a teen and still find it compelling reading. However, I really don't agree with her conclusions.

[angela in ohio]

I read The Fountainhead my senior year in high school for a writing contest, then again in college several times. I read every other thing I could find by her in college, too. I have read Atlas Shrugged as recently as a few years ago.

 

I have to agree that her writings were much more interesting to me when I was young; and as a Christian now, I definitely see them in a different light! Every once in a while, though, something in the news will strike me, because it will be eerily similar to something in Atlas Shrugged. ;)

[Mommy22alyns]

I have read The Fountainhead and I'm in the middle of Atlas Shrugged right now. I have Anthem and We the Living on my shelves. I guess you could say I'm a "student" out of curiosity. I'm enjoying mulling over the views presented - do I agree with this or disagree? There's enjoyment in reading things that make you slightly uncomfortable. At least for me there is!

[sleepy]

Hey there - just curious if any of the parents with older students (early teens and up) have read any of Ayn Rand's novels, such as Anthem, The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged?

 

 

 

All three of those are required (high school level) reading in order to graduate from our home school.

[ekarl2]

I have read Atlas Shrugged and LOVE it! I think what I'm seeing in these posts (which I totally agree with) is that Rand's books are WONDERFUL for discussing politics, Socialism, etc. She a terrible writer, IMHO (you can skip the LONG speeches, BTW), but her premises are really fascinating.

 

Studying literature is not about just reading stuff you agree with, it's about learning how the world works and how people have historically dealt with what's happening around them. It's an eternal argument between those who think man is in charge and those who think God is in charge. To be well-educated, one must know where all parties stand. As a Christian, I disagree with Rand's idea that a personal moral code is all a society needs. BUT, as a conservative, I completely agree with her ideas about the doers/makers in our society and the ills of Socialism. Reading Atlas Shrugged really helped cement both of these opinions for me.

 

I also agree with a previous poster ... you can see a LOT of parallels between Atlas Shrugged and the recentl political headlines ... government running/taking over corporations, over-regulating, etc.

[Mommy22alyns]

I also agree with a previous poster ... you can see a LOT of parallels between Atlas Shrugged and the recentl political headlines ... government running/taking over corporations, over-regulating, etc.

 

 

Yes... and it's very chilling, isn't it?

[Spy Car]

I read Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead in Junior High (not assigned reading) and later in college read The Virtue of Selfishness.

 

I consider these works, and Ayn Rand's Objectivist philosophy, to be "pure evil."

 

Bill

[Mommy22alyns]

I consider these works, and Ayn Rand's Objectivist philosophy, to be "pure evil."

 

Bill

 

 

Please elaborate... this is out of curiosity, not a wish to debate.

[Spy Car]

Please elaborate... this is out of curiosity, not a wish to debate.

 

I'm not a religious person (so this may seem "ironic") but Ayn Rand's unGodliness offends me. She mocks every positive Christian value as a philosophy of the weak.

 

Objectivism represents "egoism" taken to the ultimate extreme. There is no higher value in her estimation that acting in accord with ones own self interest, "selfishness" is the ultimate virtue.

 

Bill

[Catherine]

That was the title of the parody my dh wrote when he was in college. I can't say I've read any of them myself-I tried but just couldn't get into them. My ds just read Atlas Shrugged and said it could have been about 900 pages shorter if she had just written "Socialism is bad. Capitalism is good."

[SherryTX]

I wasn't sure if there would be so many in such a short period of time! I appreciate it.

 

I have found that people either really like her novels or hate them, haha. There doesn't seem to be much in between. And I am not surprised that many here do not care for her philosophy, as yes, she was an atheist, and her philosophy doesn't make room for any kind of supernatural. However, I am also glad that so many of you (even if you don't agree with her conclusions) do expose your older kids to her works, and have what it sounds like some great discussions.

 

My son isn't a fan of hers either too much (the 18 year old). He agrees with the personal responsibility aspect of her books and philosophy so far, but that is about it.

 

For those that have an interest in finding about more about the philosophy, Andrew Bernstein recently published a book called "Objectivist in One Lesson." It is not a very long book (I believe it is under 200 pages or so), and I have read about half of it so far. I really like it because it is a lot easier to read through than some of the other more academic works that I have read (such as Leonard Peikoff's "Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand).

http://www.amazon.com/Objectivism-One-Lesson-Introduction-Philosophy/dp/0761843590/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238703590&sr=8-1

 

I have seen Andrew Bernstein speak here in Dallas twice, and am reading another really good book called "The Capitalist Manifesto" which is really good.

 

I have on my shelf several collections of her and other Objectivist essays, last year read a book by Tara Smith (a professor at Univ Texas) called "Ayn Rand's Normative Ethics" which is absolutely EXCELLENT for a break down of the ethics of her philosophy.

 

I hated Dominique in Fountainhead, until near the end of the book when she finally realized what a dolt she was being. I personally like her writing style, but I admit it took my a few months to finish Atlas Shrugged - it is very long after all.

 

I plan on having her books as required reading for my daughter's home schooling, but am also encouraging my other kids to read the other books as soon as they are old enough. I thought in "The Well Trained Mind" it was very smart of the author to state that parents should make sure they spend some time teaching their kids their religion/beliefs or philosophy as part of their schooling. So I am working on putting together some things, not just for my home schooled daughter, but my other girls as well so they can understand why we believe what we do. We are also making sure we include over views of some major religion's philosophy, so they have a better understanding of what it is about. We approach the Bible as literature here, and it does lead to some interesting discussions.

 

By the way, if anyone is in the Dallas Fort Worth area and is looking for other people to meet face to face that have an interest in Rand's books and her philosophy, feel free to send me a private message. We have a local meetup group that meets a few times a month. At least one "event" is at a friends house, where there are other kids and adults, for some nice social time. Other events are more specific - lectures, etc.

[Spy Car]

And I am not surprised that many here do not care for her philosophy, as yes, she was an atheist, and her philosophy doesn't make room for any kind of supernatural.

 

This rather understates the case :lol:

 

Bill

[teamturner]

I just started Atlas Shrugged. Wow, it's long! I'm on page 10 and it's not grabbing me or anything. I wish I hadn't read this thread and seen your pov's already. :confused:

[K&Rs Mom]

I just started Atlas Shrugged. Wow, it's long! I'm on page 10 and it's not grabbing me or anything. I wish I hadn't read this thread and seen your pov's already. :confused:

 

My advice - skip the speech on your first read. You'll know what I mean when you get there (it's in the last third of the book, about 80 pages long). Go back and read it another time, after you've finished the book. It doesn't change anything in the plot, and a LOT of people get bogged down in there and give up.

[Guest jenlea79]

I read a few of her books when I was about 18 years old and had not even had an introductory philosophy class. Being that this was my first exposure to such strong views and ideas about social issues and politics (thanks to public education) I was very influenced by her for years. Now that I am almost 30, a little wiser to the world, and have formed stronger core values, beliefs, views and ideas about life and society I would like to return to those books. I already know that I will disagree with most of her philosophy, but I think it would be interesting to read them again with new eyes.

 

And yes, many years from now when we are studying philosophy in depth, I will include Ayn Rand in our curriculum. I think it is important to understand and appreciate that there are many many different views and beliefs in the world. I know we will have awesome discussions regarding her particular philosophy, since they contradict many of our own values and beliefs.

[Melissa in Australia]

I have read her books, my Husband is a big fan.

I will not be assigning the books to my children until they are at 18 ( and then I would not be assigning books at all;))

I just don't feel comfortable assigning a book to my sons with so much sex in it.

[Mommy22alyns]

I'm not a religious person (so this may seem "ironic") but Ayn Rand's unGodliness offends me. She mocks every positive Christian value as a philosophy of the weak.

 

Objectivism represents "egoism" taken to the ultimate extreme. There is no higher value in her estimation that acting in accord with ones own self interest, "selfishness" is the ultimate virtue.

 

Bill

 

 

Thanks much, Bill... I did ask for the clarification because I knew you weren't religious - definitely food for thought. :)

[Liza Q]

I'm not a religious person (so this may seem "ironic") but Ayn Rand's unGodliness offends me. She mocks every positive Christian value as a philosophy of the weak.

 

Objectivism represents "egoism" taken to the ultimate extreme. There is no higher value in her estimation that acting in accord with ones own self interest, "selfishness" is the ultimate virtue.

 

Bill

 

Wow! Sometimes I am so in my narrow little Christian homeschool Mom world :blush: that I forget that Christians are not the only ones who would see this - and see it as evil

 

Thanks for being so clear.

[SherryTX]

Wow! Sometimes I am so in my narrow little Christian homeschool Mom world :blush: that I forget that Christians are not the only ones who would see this - and see it as evil

 

Thanks for being so clear.

 

There are many secular humanists that don't like her philosophy either, so no Christians are not alone. In fact, I have met quite a few atheists that disagree with her quite a bit. Just one more reason to realize that not all atheists share the same philosophy!

 

Actually, I have met quite a few people that believe in God that like her philosophy. Most of those are ones (like Rush Limbaugh, for example) that love the capitalism and personal responsibility it teaches; they basically pick and choose what they want from it. However, I have met some that believe in God that actually think it is not contrary at all with a belief in God. They obviously do not have a proper understanding of it. (To me, that would be someone telling me they understand the bible and are a Christian but don't believe in Jesus. Doesn't make any sense!)

 

Thanks again for all the comments. As I said, I knew all wouldn't agree with me, but I appreciate everyone's taking the time to post a reply to satisfy my curiosity! :001_smile:

[Peek a Boo]

Actually, I have met quite a few people that believe in God that like her philosophy. Most of those are ones (like Rush Limbaugh, for example) that love the capitalism and personal responsibility it teaches; they basically pick and choose what they want from it. However, I have met some that believe in God that actually think it is not contrary at all with a belief in God. They obviously do not have a proper understanding of it. (To me, that would be someone telling me they understand the bible and are a Christian but don't believe in Jesus. Doesn't make any sense!)

 

I'm a Christian pick-and-chooser :)

kinda w/ ekarl2 and Tutor.

 

Unlike the Bible, Objectivism will not save me.

but parts of O'ism can make our society more palatable.

 

have y'all seen the scholarships available for reading the books? I've heard there's one specifically for Anthem, but I haven't seen it.

[Spy Car]

I'm a Christian pick-and-chooser :)

kinda w/ ekarl2 and Tutor.

 

Unlike the Bible, Objectivism will not save me.

but parts of O'ism can make our society more palatable.

 

have y'all seen the scholarships available for reading the books? I've heard there's one specifically for Anthem, but I haven't seen it.

 

Who'd have guessed that the person most repulsed by the anti-Christian philosophy of Ayn Rand and Objectivism, would appear to be me?

 

It's a strange world.

 

Bill

[asta]

I married Howard Rourke.

 

 

Don't know what that says about Ayn or myself...

 

 

asta

[Peek a Boo]

Who'd have guessed that the person most repulsed by the anti-Christian philosophy of Ayn Rand and Objectivism, would appear to be me?

 

It's a strange world.

 

Bill

 

some of us don't throw the baby out w/ the bathwater ;)

[Spy Car]

some of us don't throw the baby out w/ the bathwater ;)

 

Rosemary's baby ;)

[Hathersage]

Rosemary's baby ;)

 

LOL.

[Liza Q]

Who'd have guessed that the person most repulsed by the anti-Christian philosophy of Ayn Rand and Objectivism, would appear to be me?

 

It's a strange world.

 

Bill

 

I do find her philosophy repulsive, but I thought it was an outgrowth of her atheism.

 

Guess that I don't know, or understand, enough about atheism if I am wrong about that!

[Susan in IL]

In the late 60's early 70's and in college I came across her works. I read them on my own (along with things like F-451). I liked some things, didn't like others. Like others have posted, there are some interesting parallels to some of the things happening in current events.

 

And, yes, skip the speech the first time through. If you do go back and read it, skim. :D

[Peek a Boo]

Rosemary's baby ;)

 

LOL!!!

:lol:

[angela in ohio]

have y'all seen the scholarships available for reading the books? I've heard there's one specifically for Anthem, but I haven't seen it.

 

That's why I read my first Rand book - to write a scholarship essay. I think it is a different book each year; my year it was The Fountainhead.

[Kareni]

have y'all seen the scholarships available for reading the books? I've heard there's one specifically for Anthem, but I haven't seen it.

 

Take a look at the Ayn Rand Institute page. You can find information about the scholarships there.

 

8th, 9th, and 10th graders can write about Anthem

 

11th and 12th graders can write about The Fountainhead

 

12th graders and college students can write about Atlas Shrugged

 

Regards,

Kareni

[SherryTX]

ARI also has a program that provides free novels to high school teachers for their classes.

 

By the way (for those of you interested in minor trivia - am I a nerd, I know), the fellow that wrote the Cliff Notes for her novels, Andrew Bernstein, also wrote the Capitalist Manifesto and Objectivism in One Lesson. He has a really in-depth understanding of her novels and her philosophy, so I would imagine the Cliff Notes are dead on.

 

I was visiting with several friends last night, and brought up the fact I was discussing her work on this home schooling board, and we talked about "does ARI or other orgs offer Rand's novels for free to home schoolers?" A friend of mine has some contacts at ARI, and emailed them asking it. I think it would be a great way for those interested in having their kids read the book to get it for free.

 

I hope they take the idea seriously.