Anthem (edition 1961)

by Ayn Rand (Author)

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11,036	217	685	(3.57)	206
Classic Literature. Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML: Anthem takes place in a dark, dystopian future. Collectivism and socialist economics have driven mankind to a technological standstill. The individual is not acknowledged in this society, the word "I" having been eliminated from speech altogether. Rand explores the tension between collectivism and individualism and equates the errors or triumphs of these with socialism and capitalism. .… (more)

▾Book information

Member:	pixelpaperyarn
Title:	Anthem
Authors:	Ayn Rand (Author)
Info:	Signet (1995), Edition: Reissue, 256 pages
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
Tags:	sci-fi

Work Information

Anthem by Ayn Rand

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114
1984 by George Orwell (MMSequeira)
MMSequeira: Both 1984 and Anthem we're inspired by Zamyatin's We. Both are worth reading, as cautionary tales.
40
Essays on Ayn Rand's Anthem by Robert Mayhew (mcaution)
mcaution: Gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Rand's novella through this unique collection of scholarly criticism.
64
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin (myshelves)
myshelves: Classic dystopian novel.
10
Progress by Charles Stampul (Anonymous user)
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▾Member reviews

English (215) German (1) All languages (216)

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Showing 1-5 of 215 (next | show all)

This book had an interesting concept and really showed a dystopian vibe. I enjoyed the meaning behind the words. (

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haasjadm | Jan 6, 2025 |

It was okay. Decent theme but did not really apply to me and therefore it did not touch me in any special way like it should. (

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NolanRhine | Jan 6, 2025 |

Really good. I would want to see more about how their son grew up and what happened to the place they were both at before going into the forest. (

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halbrookmace | Jan 6, 2025 |

An interesting short story advocating for individualism. I have little to say on it. (

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Corbin_Johnson | Dec 26, 2024 |

This was interesting to read if you look at the broader message. If you get past the "we" part and look at the message of the book. But if you read it just for book enjoyment, it's a little jarring in it's odd writing style. (

)

Trisha_Thomas | Nov 13, 2024 |

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▾Published reviews

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▾Other authors

» Add other authors (3 possible)

Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Ayn Rand	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Peikoff, Leonard	—	secondary author	all editions	confirmed
Meier, Paul	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Peikoff, Leonard	Introduction	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Scott, Michael	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Theriot, Chere	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Publisher Series

Forgotten Books

Penguin Modern Classics

Signet (W7846)

Is contained in

3 Titles By Ayn Rand: "We the Living," "The Virtue of Selfishness," "Anthem." by Ayn Rand

The Fountainhead / Anthem / We the Living / Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Five by Ayn Rand: The Fountainhead, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, For the New Intellectual, Night of January 16th, and Anthem by Ayn Rand

The Fourth Science Fiction Megapack by John Gregory Betancourt

Has the adaptation

Ayn Rand's Anthem: The Graphic Novel by Charles Santino

Was inspired by

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

Has as a student's study guide

CliffsNotes on Rand's Anthem by Andrew Bernstein

Anthem - Ayn Rand (SparkNotes) by Sarah Davidson

A Study Guide for Ayn Rand's "Anthem" by Gale Cengage Learning

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

Hugo Award (Nominee – Novella – 1939)

Notable Lists

The Modern Library's 100 Best Novels: The Readers' List

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▾Common Knowledge

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Canonical title

Original title

Alternative titles

Original publication date

1938

1946 (revised edition)

People/Characters

Equality 7-2521 (Prometheus)

Liberty 5-3000 (The Golden One | Gaea)

Important places

Home of the Street Sweepers

Palace of Corrective Detention

(show all 6 items)

Important events

Related movies

Epigraph

Dedication

First words

It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own. And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone. We have broken the laws. The laws say that men may not write unless the Council of Vocations bid them so. May we be forgiven!

Quotations

This, my body and spirit, this is the end of the quest.

Rather would we be damned with you than blessed with all our brothers.

The fortunes of my spirit are not to be made into coins of brass and be flung into the wind as alms for the poor of spirit.

I understood that centuries of chains and lashes will not kill the spirit of man nor the sense of truth within him.

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

Original language

English

Canonical DDC/MDS

813.52

Canonical LCC

PS3535.A547

▾References

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English

None

▾Book descriptions

Classic Literature. Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML:

Anthem takes place in a dark, dystopian future. Collectivism and socialist economics have driven mankind to a technological standstill. The individual is not acknowledged in this society, the word "I" having been eliminated from speech altogether. Rand explores the tension between collectivism and individualism and equates the errors or triumphs of these with socialism and capitalism.

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Legacy Library: Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand has a Legacy Library. Legacy libraries are the personal libraries of famous readers, entered by LibraryThing members from the Legacy Libraries group.

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