Tuesday Intros and Teaser Tuesdays - 'Anthem' by Ayn Rand

Today I'm sharing a book with you I recently bought for a train-journey down to London next weekend! This book is Ayn Rand's Anthem. I read her book The Fountainhead during my first year at University and was in love. I waited until I found an edition with the exact cover on the left.
Anthem has long been hailed as one of Ayn Rand's classic novels, and a clear predecessor to her later masterpieces, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. 
In Anthem, Rand examines a frightening future in which individuals have no name, no independence, and no values. Equality 7-2521 lives in the dark ages of the future where all decisions are made by committee, all people live in collectives, and all traces of individualism have been wiped out. Despite such a restrictive environment, the spark of individual thought and freedom still burns in him - a passion which he has been taught to call sinful.
In a purely egalitarian world, Equality 7-2521 dares to stand apart from the herd- to think and choose for himself, to discover electricity, and to love the woman of his choice. Now he has been marked for death for committing the ultimate sin.
Tuesday Intros is hosted by Diane over at Bibliophile by the Sea and Teaser Tuesdays is hosted over at A Daily Rhythm.


Intro:
'It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see. It is base and evil. It is as if we were speaking alone to no ears but our own. And we know well that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone. We have broken the laws. The laws say that men may not write unless the Council of Vocations bid them so. May we be forgiven!' p.1
I love this beginning! It is perfectly direct and to the point without the prose losing its beauty.


TeaserTuesdays2014eTeaser:
'They brought the Transgressor out into the square and they let them to the pyre. They had torn out the tongue of the Transgressor, so they could speak no longer.' p.52
This is one hell of a tease! I'm now wishing that I had not decided to wait with this one until the train journey. It is quite a slim book as well so I should be able to actually get it read on the way to London. I think Rand's writing, especially The Fountainhead, is very misunderstood by most critics and I can't wait to see how this book develops.

Heidi from New Paper Adventures pointed out to me  in the comments that Anthem is actually currently free on Amazon Kindle, so hop on over and have a look! Thanks Heidi :)

What are you teasing with today?

Comments

  1. I've not read any Ayn Rand before, though I know I should. Great snippets!

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  2. Whoa. That's pretty intense!

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  3. Great teasers!! I'm not familiar with this one from Rand, but it sounds disturbing and fascinating at the same time.

    Here's my Teaser for this week: http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/teaser-tuesdays-march-31-2015.html

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  4. This is one of Rand's I haven't read. Very strong teaser.

    My TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/03/31/teaser-tuesdays-108-a-fright-to-the-death-by-dawn-eastman/

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  5. It's been years since I read Ayn Rand--I love her writings. Enjoy!

    My Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/03/first-chapter-first-paragraph-100.html

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  6. I really liked this book and even had my students read it one year. Short and effective!

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  7. I need to go find this book. Thanks for sharing and bring us a classic. Here is my TT http://www.readinggrrl.com/2015/03/teaser-tuesday_31.html

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  8. BTW this book is free on amazon kindle

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  9. I adored both The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, and like you, read them in college. I was a big fan. And then I moved on. But this one looks intense and intriguing. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  10. I thought I had read this, but it doesn't sound familiar. Thanks, Heidi, for the heads up that it's free on kindle.

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  11. I read this one when I was in high school and liked it -- I hope you enjoy it as well. Mine: Accused by Lisa Scottoline

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  12. I haven't yet read anything by Ayn Rand, but you have me curious about this one. I'm intrigued after reading the intro. I like the writing style and how dire a world it must be the person lives in! Thank you for sharing.

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  13. I haven't read Ayn Rand either. That intro is scary. Not a world I'd want to live in.

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  14. I read The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged many years ago and enjoyed them both, but I haven't read Anthem. My only complaint about her writing is her tendency to write long passages that preach her point of view. I hope that isn't the case with Anthem and that you enjoy it.
    Thank you for stopping by my blog. I always enjoy your comments.
    Sandy @ TEXAS TWANG

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  15. What thought-provoking teasers! This is something I know I would enjoy; I'm actually reading something that is quite pensive right now it is Terry Pratchett's Nation :)

    Still, I'll be looking into this one; thanks for sharing!

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  16. Can't believe I haven't read Ayn Rand yet!

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  17. I love the opening to this book, one I haven't heard of. Despite it not being my usual genre I'd like to keep reading. Thanks for visiting my Tuesday post https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/03/31/first-chapter-first-paragraph-march-31/

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  18. Wow - I've never heard of this Ayn Rand, but loved both The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Loved the intro too!

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  19. I thought the opening was beautiful although a little intense. I hope its enjoyable for you,

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  20. I have not read anything by this author. The intro was great!

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