Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, is an exemplary work of fiction with a clear message about the necessity of individualism. the plot centers around a lone individual living within a near hive-mind society. In this society, every physical or mental difference is frowned upon, everyone is expected to be of the same intelligence, and grow at the same rate. even the use of the pronoun “I” is forbidden on pain of death. eventually, the individual, (who is unnamed until the end) breaks away from the collective, and renames himself Prometheus. I found the book to be brilliant in terms of writing style and philosophy, the harsh depictions of the collective versus the optimism in Prometheus is a magnificent display of Man Vs. Society as well as a great way to depict a first person point of view. Rand is able to depict prometheus as both a brilliant maverick, who’s advancing faster than the entire society, as well as a lost child, who is unable to grasp why his society does not want to move forward with him. as complex as the book is, it is not a difficult read, so I recommend It for 9th graders and up.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
Marty, 10th grade
We own Anthem! Check the catalog to see if it is available.
