Philosophy : We the Living
For the New Intellectual: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand (Signet) | 
 | 80% Recommended by our customers.
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Manufacturer: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
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Intriguing look at early U.S.S.R.
Author Ayn Rand is best known for her objectivist novels "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged," but those were not her first forays into fiction, nor were either her first novel. "We the Living" was Rand's first novel, published in 1936.
In "We the Living," Rand is still working on the ideals behind her philosophy of objectivism, a philosophy that focuses on the individual and the freedom of the individual and capitalism. The ideals are there in this book, and they're strong, but it's obvious she still doesn't have it all quite worked out yet. But that should not disappoint any of Rand's fans, because the novel is still entertaining and strong, though admittedly not as dogmatic as her later works.
This novel covers three years, from 1922 to 1925, and the life of one young woman struggling to survive in the first days of the Soviet Union. Life is harsh for everyone, but especially so for an individual who wishes to be free from the restraints and influences of the collective. In an introduction to the novel Rand herself called the book semi-autobiographical, saying it related the world and experiences she knew during her last few years in the U.S.S.R. However, the events portrayed are not supposed to have been based upon real happenings.
Surprisingly, one of the heroes to this novel is a Communist. This is so surprising considering Rand's vociferous attacks against Communism throughout her career. Perhaps the character was drawn from ideas of someone she knew, perhaps someone who agreed with her philosophically but was not strong enough to live in that vein? Only Rand knew.
 Awesome depiction of soviet society
This is an important read because it provides a story that goes untold in our society becuase so many of the intelligentsia are sympathetic to communism.
The tragedy of the the communist revolutions and the 100 million murdered in them is a story largely untold. The movie "The Killing Fields" does deal with the communist genocide in Cambodia, but generally the subject is unloved by western intellectuals. For that reason this book is a must for anyone who wants to get a glimpse of the most glossed over story in history...the tragedy of the communist revolutions.
Wonderful work of fiction
This novel has by far been one of my favorites. I have read all of Ayn's fiction novels, I dont care so much for her philosophical books. But I truly love the way she is able to tell a story, detailed, and fully in depth depiction of soviet Russia and the hard times that the people went through. I could not put this book down until I had finished it, and now having long since lent my copy to a friend to never see it again, I am purchasing the kindle edition because I feel the need to re-read this wonderful piece of literature. And would like to share it with my family. I highly recommend this book to anyone that even remotely enjoyed "The Fountainhead" Or any of Ayns others works.
Moving journey to Sct. Petersburg with Ayn Rand!
This is a fine book which goes on in Petrograd, in the early days of the communist state. It describes the hardship of former bourgeosie returning to live in Russia after the revolution. Ayn somewhat indirectly portays human characters greater than the common mold and describes the difficulty they find to succumb to communist ideology, which doesn't favor the existence of strong outstanding individuals.The weakness of the novel is the plot, more precisely the actions of the characters, some of their actions seems not rational to me. There is the communist Andrei who gets Kira's (the main character) boyfriend imprisoned, but then he changes his mind and get's him out of prison again and become a spokesman for Ayn's philosopy before he commits suicide. Petrograd is a moving city and Ayn has many nice descriptions of it, especially at winter time. It's also very interesting to witness an insider view of the early years of the communist state. Even during communism bribery apparently was rife.
You Don't Want to Miss This!
Ayn Rand is an excellent writer. But I didn't need this book to prove it to me since The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged have already made that obvious. It did take this book, though, to open my eyes to what living in 1920s Communist Russia was really like...and let me tell you, it was not walk in the park. Ayn Rand is one of those writers who will have so much an effect on you after you have read just a chapter of her book that you will begin to think in the way that she writes. You'll see. She makes you so much a part of the story that you are a poor Russian girl trying to find something worth holding onto...worth living for...in a world where everything is fleeting and nothing seems to matter. I highly recommend this novel to anyone interested in Communist Russia and/or anyone who wants to read a good romance that isn't the stereotypical cookie-cutter type. This is an overlooked gem. It is just as good, if not better than the works Ayn Rand is best known for.
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