55 pages 1 hour read

Ayn Rand

Atlas Shrugged

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1957

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Set in a dystopian US gripped by a collectivist government, Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand follows protagonist Dagny Taggart as she defends her family's railway against bureaucratic interference and a national strike led by John Galt, promoting radical individualism and unregulated capitalism. The novel explores themes like morality from an objectivist perspective and the idolization of the lone genius archetype.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand evokes polarized opinions. Praised for its ambitious narrative and exploration of Objectivism, admirers find it intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking. Critics, however, contend that its characters are one-dimensional and the prose overly didactic. Overall, it's a compelling but divisive read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Atlas Shrugged?

Readers who enjoy Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand typically appreciate philosophical fiction exploring individualism, capitalism, and objectivism. Fans of George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World may also appreciate its exploration of dystopian themes and socio-economic critiques.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

990L

Book Details

Genre

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Classic Fiction

Philosophy

Topics

Philosophy

Business / Economics

Politics / Government

Themes

Society: Economics

Society: Politics & Government

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed