Set in post-revolutionary Russia, 'We the Living' follows the life of Kira Argounova, a spirited young woman struggling to find her place in a world dominated by oppressive state control. As she navigates through love, betrayal, and the harsh realities of Soviet society, her quest for personal freedom becomes increasingly perilous. The novel paints a vivid portrait of the human spirit's resilience against tyranny and the relentless pursuit of individualism. Kira's relationships—both passionate and platonic—reveal the complexities of loyalty and sacrifice amidst ideological conflict. This compelling tale not only sparks a deep reflection on freedom and the self but also challenges readers to ponder the true cost of totalitarianism.
By Ayn Rand
Published: 2011
""The man who lets a leader prescribe his course is a wreck being towed to the scrap heap.""
Ayn Rand's first published novel, a timeless story that explores the struggles of the individual against the state in Soviet Russia. First published in 1936, We the Living portrays the impact of the Russian Revolution on three human beings who demand the right to live their own lives and pursue their own happiness. It tells of a young woman’s passionate love, held like a fortress against the corrupting evil of a totalitarian state. We the Living is not a story of politics, but of the men and women who have to struggle for existence behind the Red banners and slogans. It is a picture of what those slogans do to human beings. What happens to the defiant ones? What happens to those who succumb? Against a vivid panorama of political revolution and personal revolt, Ayn Rand shows what the theory of socialism means in practice. Includes an Introduction and Afterword by Ayn Rand’s Philosophical Heir, Leonard Peikoff
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“"The man who lets a leader prescribe his course is a wreck being towed to the scrap heap."”
We the Living (75th-Anniversary Edition)
By Ayn Rand
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Ayn Rand (1905-1982) was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, and playwright, best known for her influential works promoting individualism and capitalism through her philosophy of Objectivism. Rand's most notable novels include 'The Fountainhead' (1943), which follows the life of an innovative architect, and 'Atlas Shrugged' (1957), a dystopian narrative that examines the role of individualism in society and the consequences of government overreach. Her writing style is characterized by its strong narrative structure, detailed character development, and philosophical dialogue, often embedded in grand themes of human achievement and moral absolutism. Rand's ideas have sparked extensive debate and have left a lasting impact on the fields of literature, philosophy, and politics.
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