Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand

Ayn and her novel.

Recommended for ages 15-adult.

Not the most well-written story in the world, Atlas Shrugged makes up for its limited literary skill with some hard-hitting ideas about wealth and the nature of free industry. It's a basic story of love and intrigue on one hand, with a fiercely independent railway tycoon as the protagonist, but also a thought-provoking political volume. Although it drags on a bit (particularly the final chapters with John's big speech), this novel may just set you thinking about the ways society values people with intelligence and ambition. It's also an interesting celebration of working women. Indeed one reviewer calls it 'chic-lit for feminist libertarians'.

I listened to the audio version of the book (all 11 hours), and found the breaks between discs the optimum way to reflect on some of Rand's key statements. I reckon reading it would be quite full-on.

This book is intended for adults, but politically switched on young people (over 15) will find food for thought too.