Posted on 03/02/2022 9:20:32 AM PST by C19fan
Even though I’m something of a libertarian (small “l”) myself, I’ve always thought Ayn Rand a terrible writer and could never understand the libertarian worship she gets. She was also a hypocrite always railing against the state but happy to accept the state’s welfare for her lung cancer treatment because apparently she didn’t believe in carrying medical insurance either.
Also read War and Peace last year. What impressed me most about Tolstoy and Shakespeare is how they understood human nature and behavior. Throughout history the bells and whistles may change but those personality characteristics and behaviors seem to perennially recur almost regardless of culture. Both authors in their “fiction” wove in a beautiful way just how those characteristics are at the core of history and the events that passed. The fact that these people seem to recur whatever the age or time maybe why history always seems to repeat. Can’t emphasise enough how important it is for thoughtful, educated people to read and be familiar with this literature. Sadly ignorance is now beginning to dominate even at so called institutions of high learning and these insightful authors are ignored or disparaged as “dead white Europeans”.
I also read War and Peace last year! I really enjoyed it! BBC made a good mini-series of it that follows the book amazingly well. Very interesting and underrated period of history.
I’ve read War and Peace, Hamlet (many times), Moby Dick (twice), Animal Farm, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Ulysses (many times). I read Hunchback of Notre Dame as a child because of that great movie with Charles Laughton as the Hunchback. Both the movie and the book really lit up my imagination.
Had that once. Turned out to be a bad reaction to leftover pepperoni pizza.
I have read five of those, the best by far is Moby Dick. Never read Ulysses, but have been advised by EVERYONE I know who read it that it is completely insane and demented.
Actually Moby Dick is quite good once you get past the nonsensical section on whales!
LOL, I always remember the classic SP episode with Officer Barbrady:
“Yes, at first, I was happy to be learning how to read. It seemed exciting and magical. But then I read this: Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand. I read every last word of this garbage, and because of this piece of ____, I’m never reading again!”
I read Moby Dick. Never heard of Mody Dick
Hugo's novel must have become well known in America very quickly. The Army of Northern Virginia called themselves "Lee's Miserables."
amen
Elaine was right
I have read all of Ayn Rand’s novels. It’s basically the same story over and over - wish I had known that before I started. Would have quit at Anthem.
Moby Dick is a beating, but it’s easier if you just skip the ludicrous chapters on whale anatomy.
Where is “The Heart of Darkness”?
I’ve read Moby Dick, but not Mody Dick. =)
I've got to wonder how many liberals have read it and dismiss it because they think they are the pigs.
I am listening to the Fountainhead, read it years ago. The perfect drone to sleep novel.
Diane: Whoever wrote that doesn't know the first thing about Kurt Vogenegut!
Thornton Melon: And another thing Vogenegut, I'm stopping payment on the check!!
I’ve only seen the movie but it is brutal and nasty enough. What a downer.
I also really like Moby Dick.
Animal Farm is an easy, short read and deserves to be a classic.
Hamlet is well worth the effort.
War and Peace is, in fact, entertaining, but simply far too long for the insights it offers.
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