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Anthem  By  cover art

Anthem

By: Ayn Rand
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
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Publisher's summary

This gripping tale of the future anticipates Ayn Rand's later masterpieces, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. In the dark ages of the future, individuals have no name, no independence, and no values. In this faceless world, one man dares to love the woman of his choice and to seek and find knowledge.
Public Domain (P)1997 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Anthem

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Anthem

Compelling. This is one of my favorite stories, contains a strong message. You will find yourself listening to Rand's story again and again. I find other Ayn Rand's writings a bit long, this one is very much to the point. Other favorite titles: Starship Troopers, Dealers of Lighting, Second Coming of Steve Jobs and Snow Crash.

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Anthem is an often re-listen

Anthem is one of the most beautiful novellas that I have ever read or heard. Reading the novella, you can feel the struggle, the turmoil, and the character growth. Listening to the novella, the beauty and the near poetry come forward. I found myself backspacing often, just to re-enjoy the power and the beauty of particular sections. This novella will be an often re-listen!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Anthem

I listened to this because my daughter was reading this in her high school English class. I was enthralled with the story. The character really comes to life in my mind. I have always enjoyed Ayn Rand novels and this one was not an exception.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Listen to this book!

Most people will be able to finish it within one or two days commute time.

It's a tiny, beautiful gem of a piece. Rand's off his or edited lyricism is in full, youthful force. Listening to the blossoming of objectivism is truly worth the few hours of your time.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Short and Sweet

Anthem (another great title from Rand) has a singular message and it gets right to the point. While the reader is a bit lugubrious, the tale is worth hearing. I would suggest that anyone wanting to listen does not read much about the story as there is a turning point within that loses impact if you know too much. The story is about discovery in a bleak future and it is a clear precursor to "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged." Like with all of Ayn Rand's books, the reader is cautioned to think hard about her politics. They are well thought-out, attractive, but sometimes dangerous. Decide for yourself man's roll in this world!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Mary Shelly said it first, and better

It is wonderful to have a book read to you while you drive, or relax, or go about your business. I like the book and it was a very nice dystopian tale, but I much prefer the gothic tale, Frankenstein. Less political, but equally liberal, it is unique, and full of beauty and mystery.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Compassionate self- reliance

The narrator has A clear voice. His voice is very much like the concepts and theories posits fourth. How is it possible to compassionately uplift the poor, yet flourish myself as an individual?

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Great book, if you like to stroke Ayn Rand's ego

What disappointed you about Anthem?

The self absorbed prologue, The story with no plot. It's just a philosophical, sociopolitical diatribe. I mean, if it had ANY kind of plot or attempt at character development, it might have been palatable.

What was most disappointing about Ayn Rand’s story?

There is no story!

Which character – as performed by Christopher Lane – was your favorite?

The narrator, i guess?

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It assumes that the reader is intelligent... that's nice, I guess.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

An Anthem for the Rand Fan

While not as epic as Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead, Anthem provides overt insight into the philosophical development of a person's ego. The action is slow, and the arc of the story not strong, so only readers with attachment to the underlying philosophy of the novel are likely to be satisfied. However, the introduction of the word "I" to the vocabulary of the characters is an iconic conceptual device that defines the work, and the author’s objections to the tyranny of society.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The catalyst between Atlas and Fountainhead

Any additional comments?

This book is the catalyst or connection between Atlas and Fountainhead. It serves as a continual thought between the two novels. Albeit a short read, the hero in the story is the greatest form of human dignity and triumph. The Anthem is more a sunrise than a musical triumph. As you travel in this story towards the end, you become enlightened. The exaggerated light bulb over the head of cartoon characters at the "ah hah" moment
.

I enjoy the way Mrs. Rand presents the hero and his travel to become himself. In this way, the reader also realizes who they are. A is A.

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