I had the same problem and have found that in some cases it works best to have the story read to me when I find the writing style too ponderous. In the case of Atlas Shrugged, I bought the unabridged version on CD off of ebay. I then listened to it for almost a month on the way to work and back and as I drove around doing chores. It took me almost a month to get through all 50 CD’s, but it was well worth it and extremely enjoyable. I now see what all of the fuss was about.
Once again, thank you very much for taking the time to lead this AS discussion.
Re: the building Dagney chooses to lease an office in and its run down condition (and the other comments through the book describing the physical condition of cities & communities — excepting Galt’s Gulch, of course).
I rode the AMTRAK FRom Newark to WDC in the spring of 1996. I was struck by the rotted and abandoned factories and buildings I saw along the way. Reminded me of AS.
I am reminded of AS now as I see abandoned buildings and For Rent signs in FRont of what had appeared to be triving businesses as recently as January.