A review by will_cherico
Anthem by Ayn Rand

adventurous inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

The novella that laid the groundwork for Ayn Rand’s Objectivism is one that can only be described as “Orwell for stupid people.” She’s a competent writer and understands pacing well, but the meat of the story is so dumb. Rand seems to believe that the worst thing that can happen to people is losing their individuality, and while I agree that’s a serious danger of authoritarian rule, the premise Rand puts forth is such a laughable one that it’s hard to see the book as something other than a satire of the very libertarian ideals it’s trying to promote. The man character openly expresses disgust for blue collar workers, relief on the realization his romantic partner is 17, and fails to realize that his plan for putting the I back into society at the end of the book involves rewarding his friends despite their lack of contribution to his new society, something he rails against the dictatorship for doing. Rand’s own personal biases shine in at certain moments that come off as funnier than anything. On the same page that the narrator declares that “we should choose new names” to his lover, he immediately tells her what hers will be. It seems that in our hero’s new utopia, women will still be considered less than equal to men. That’s not even beginning to mention how thirsty the protagonist is for himself, constantly reiterating how hot he is every time he catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror or reflection of a lake as a very subtle way of Rand proposing that libertarians are hot and cool and smart while socialists are stupid and ugly. 
Just listen to 2112 by Rush.