We the Living [NOOK Book]

An important reminder of what communism really is

One thing there but often not noticed in Ayn Rand's other works is an amazing sense of the environment. One really feels like one is living in the world Rand creates. This is particularly noticeable in this book, and it gives the reader a great awareness of what it is like to live under communism. Not only are the results of communism evident, but so are clear links to the cause (the absence of human rights). On top of all this, We the Living has great characters whom we get to observe as they change (or not, in Kira's case) under the brutal regime.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Pinch me, was this book a dream?

For the first sixty pages, I forced myself to read this book on a reccomendation from a friend. This books is so emotionally involving, you can't begin to let go of it even months after you have read it. Ayn Rand dipicts the life- or what was was left of it- of Kira Argounova with such vivid images, you want to reach out and save her. You cry, you laugh, and you want to kill all communists, but mostly you cry. Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

A Bittersweet Symphony

This book touched me deeply. It brought tears to my eyes during many pages. In reading this book, I gained enormous gratitude for the freedoms I enjoy and all who made those freedoms possible for me. I was also reminded of the strength of the human spirit.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

One Against the World

Written before The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, this novel does not define Rand's philosophical ideas as clearly as her later efforts. As an author, however, apart from any philosophy, Rand proved that she was as skilled as any. This is a love story, a story of the individual versus the collective, and a statement on man's right to life. A masterpiece.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Excellent Book

I devoured this book. I read it in less than two days; I just had to know what was going to happen next. Ayn Rand's characters, most notably the heroine of the book, Kira, were amazing. I was transported to a world that I didn't want to leave when I saw the courage and principle displayed in her characters. The details of this semi-autobiography are fascinating: you can't believe some of the things that went on during that period of history in Russia. This book will stay with you for a very long time after reading it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

You've Got To Start Somewhere

The setting was very well done, but, unless you are reading solely to gain a better understanding of Ayn Rand and her writing, avoid it. I found most of the characters very annoying and infuriating throughout most of the book, and was happy when it was over. All of Ayn Rand's later novels showed MUCH improvement, and are recommended.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Unconquered

This book is about a woman named Kira Argounova who tries to live in the tomblike atmosphere of Communist Russia. She does not break, she is not defeated, she remains an individual, and does not allow herself to be crushed by a collectivist society. It is also about two men, Leo the the defeated individualist, and Andrei, the collectivist who realizes that he has lived a lie. This book is a classic, it is touching and powerful. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand what life under Communism or any other form of dictatorship is like to live under. It shows the hopelessness of the people trapped in the airtight tomb that is a dictatorship

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Great Depiction

This book is about a young girls' views about living in Soviet Russia after the Civil War. I had to read this book for a Geography project, and though I wasn't thrilled, after I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. This wonderful author writes very vivid descriptions of horrible. Though very depressing, We The Living was a well written, true to life book. I woul reccommend it to anyone.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Excellent

First-hand account of communist Russia. Historical fiction.

DOES THIS OPEN YOUR EYES OF TODAY!!

THE PARELLEL OF THE SETTING OF 1920'S RUSSIA AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF OUR COUNTRY TODAY IS ABSOLUTELY SCARY. THE GOVERNMENT TAKING OVER EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE, THE UNIONS PART AND THEIR POWER. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR EVERY CITIZEN OF THE U.S.....

I am in awe

Entertaining

No text was provided for this review.

Amazing

A beautiful story

Disappointment

I used to be a great admirer of Ayn Rand. In my youth, I was enthralled and inspired by The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Even now, I'm enjoying Anne C. Heller's biography, Ayn Rand and the World She Made. But We the Living is nothing more than an upscale romance novel. Characters are cardboard, plot is predictable, and style is at times embarrassing. Cover is nice, though.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing!!

Ayn Rand is one of those rare authors who can touch reader's heart with her astounding writing style as well as make the reader thoroughly experience the emotional aspect of the story. As I read We the Living, I became mesmerized with characters and the plot of the story. Unable to stop reading, I finished the book in one sitting. In my opinion everyone should read this book!!

Amazing, enlightening read

This book was fantastic, Ayn Rand's use of language was clear and vivid throughout and it made you feel the reality of the story which was a reality to many people. Some people might disagree with it's views when they are put bluntly, but when the results of some things are clearly shown the tendency to attach yourself to the views of the other is obvious. The book is heartwrenching, and yet it is necessary to continue reading to the conclusion.

Check For Delivery

My grandson, for his milestone birthday - 25, would have loved to read We The Living by Ayn Rand. Barnes & Noble informed me a week after his birthday that they had not sent the book. Happy Birthday - NOT!
From Readonebook, Granny

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Excellent Read

If you ever wondered what communism looks like, this book makes a clear statement on the topic. If you ever think things are rough, or unfair, in the USA this is a must read. It is based on her experience as a young lady growing up in the Soviet Union right after the revolution. You won't believe the hardship and suffering of the people, especially those who would not, or could not, be members of the Communist part.

Massacre of the individual

Heartwrenching look at not just effect of collectivism, but the massacre of idealism, January 29, 2009
By Yen Sullivan - See all my reviews




This is an amazing and completely heart wrenching first novel of Ayn Rand and to me, her best, as it not only captured the destructive effects of collectivism but also the emergence of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. Set in post-Russian Revolution, We the Living portrayed the chaotic uncertainty and political changes that robbed many Russians of their rights as individuals.

As Ayn Rand experienced life under communist tyranny firsthand, she breathed life into the three main characters and slowly unraveled a moving story as their lives became intertwined. Kira was an independent spirit as she refused to succumb to the brutal regime and its suffocation of her individuality. She represented the epitome of all young innocent idealists. Leo, her one true love, another character we all have ran into our life, handsome, dashing, and yet completely unreconciled. He took Kira's unconditional love for granted as she helplessly trying to save his spiraling descent into bitterness and anger. He was targeted as an enemy of the state due to his post-status of Bourgeoisie as the new regime completely pummeled his rational consciousness. Finally, Andrei, an officer of the Soviet Secret police whose idealism was also completely shattered when he questioned the underlying fallacy of Communism. The love triangle of Kira, Andrei and Leo was completely entrenched with a sadness that paralleled the realities of an affair, in this case, not just of the heart but of the battle of "the individual against the state" also. However, I do find Kira hiding behind her convictions, and somehow justified her abuse and maltreatment to Andrei disturbing. I suppose if you totally believe in objectivism, for her it is justified. My heart definitely goes out to Andrei, the only decent characters who was true to his heart until the end, even if his beliefs change over the time period, he still stayed true to his moral ethics.

This novel was not well received at first due to its controversial nature and had a hard time getting published in the 30's. It wasn't until after the success of "Atlas Shrugged" that Ayn Rand managed to get this book more widely accepted. We the Living successfully denounced not just Communism, but of every entity that claims the right to sacrifice the supreme value of an individual human right or life. There is no book out there that fully captures how bad it was when communism massacred the spirits of the people. She managed to portrayed "the absolute concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute." (Objectivism) in a novel form. Indeed, this book will resonate and haunt for the rest of the reader's life