Anthem and Anne follow-up

Hello all. I just want to say that I would be done with Anthem, but yesterday when Wes was home sick, he had to read it. I have to tell you that Wes is basically a silent member of the book club. He is reading the books too (OK, not Tess...). I only have about 30 more pages left though and expect to finish today.

It is a very interesting book. Obviously a statement book, making her point through a story. As most of you are aware, I typically hate that kind of thing, but I am glad Laura chose this book. I have been trying to have a good attitude and just read it and not get annoyed. I actually called Stefanie and told her how annoyed I was by the foreword/introduction in my version of the book written by some guy that was a real annoyance to me. It set me up to have a pissed off attitude about reading the book as he set it up as a total rip on any religion and frankly an attack on the lemmings that practice any religion. And let's face it, Ayn Rand was an atheist, so it may have been that, but here's my main issue with that intro I read-even if that is the main point, shouldn't I as the reader get the chance to read it and form my own interpretation of what she is saying? Isn't that the beauty of well written novels? That the reader can take from it what they will and form their own opinion? Anyway-Stefanie convinced me to keep reading in spite of the intro.

My opinion so far is this...I see we are discussing the "We vs I" the good of society vs the good of the individual. In the authors own forward she discusses Collectivism and how people that are for it need to face the consequences and obviously her book is meant to show the consequences as she sees it. Interesting to me here is the time frame of this-originally written in 1937 (Before WWII) and was edited and released in English in America after being edited in 1946 (after WWII). In her intro (written in 1946) she uses the events of the 9 years as evidence to support her take on society here. I just find that interesting to look at in the context of what was going on in the world.

Though I find myself annoyed at Rand's attitude of "ha ha I told you so" superiority in her intro, I think she is an excellent writer and has easily drawn my into the life of Equality 7-2521. I find him to be a very strong protagonist that I am fully rooting for him escaping this restrictive society. That is good since that is what I am supposed to feel-well done Ms Rand. I agree with the rights of individuals and I think individuality is important and valuable. I also believe it is important and valuable to have concern for the society as a whole. Obviously this society is an extreme in collectivism. I am interested to see where this book goes from here and am glad Laura chose it! I never would have read it otherwise, and at the very least it is making me think.

I know many of you out there have a lot to say about this book, and I realize there might be opposing views over this book. But hey, discussion of the books is kind of the point here, right? I will do my best not to get pissy about the responses and disagreements. Please, post your comments, your reactions to the book and don't let my comments stop you from disagreeing.

Now, because I hate to leave on a note of negative feeling and fear of the obvious political discussion coming, I will end by telling you all about Solace's reaction to Anne.

I did not want to post this earlier because I didn't want to ruin this plot point for those that did not know the story, but I want to tell you about my tender-hearted little girl. We read Anne of Green Gables aloud as a family (and are now reading Anne of Avonlea). When it got toward the end where Matthew dies, Solace just broke down in tears. She cried and cried. Most of the night she cried. It was so tender to her that the next day in school she was apparently in and out of tears all day until finally her teacher asked her to come and talk to her. The teacher, thinking something was wrong at home, asked Solace what was going on and if everything was alright. Solace explained to her that Matthew died in Anne of Green Gables and she was so sad. What a sweet girl!

Now, I should also mention that she LOVED the book as did my boys. In fact they play Anne in their imagination play time all the time now...in fact, the boys are often heard to be fighting over who gets to be Gilbert Blythe. However, one of the funniest things I have ever overheard from my kids happened the other day when I heard Armour say to Ender (who was playing Anne) "Oh no, Anne you have given me alcohol in my tea party. Now I just wanna go home!" He acted drunk like Dianna in the book/movie and ran out the room saying "I need to go home!" He now thinks it is hilarious to tell people that whatever he is drinking is actually alcohol...that has been fun...