A fairly interesting dystopian novel, albeit brief. I wanted to teach this novel to ninth grade students as an example of a dystopia, but my department head nixed the idea because of the implications of sex towards the end of the novel. (Yet, we read Romeo and Juliet and Their Eyes Were Watching God?) Rand's political and philosophical agenda is, of course, blatant, but one expects that with Rand's novel. I read her novels for the differing perspective, even though at times I feel she is trying to brainwash me with the repetition of her beliefs. ( )

Even if you don’t agree with Ayn Rand’s politics, I think this is a worthwhile read. It’s really about the importance of individualism and the dangers of collectivism, and the idea that independence can never be eradicated. Not a surprising message from a teenager growing up in Soviet Russia. Despite being born into a society where you are only a cog in the system and must do what you are told because there is no other option, Equality 7-2521 discovers that he has desires and needs that his society can’t fulfill. If you had the desire to learn and create, could you voluntarily turn it off? It took me probably half the book to get comfortable with the words 'we' and 'they' referring to both one person and many, but once you can wrap your brain around that, the book is an easy read. ( )

Enjoyable read and brief introduction to Ayn Rand's philosophy. While Rand tends to take her ideas to the extreme in her books, it's frightening looking at the world around us and seeing those in power slowly leading us down that path that if taken to a final conclusion could be the cause of Rand's world. Simple read, much easier to get into than her opus, Atlas Shrugged (which is necessary reading in it's own right) ( )

A dark portrait of the future. Rand pushes her agenda by showing an extreme case of individualism versus collectivism. Interesting. ( )

This was a fairly thin dystopian novel. Not much was said here that you couldn't read in something like "We" or "1984." Rand's tone was fairly didactic, but that isn't surprising given Rand's reputation. Overall, I give it 3 out of 5 stars because I did enjoy it, but I felt that more could have been done with it. ( )