Anthem (version 3)
Ayn Rand
Read by Phil Chenevert
This Novella by Ayn Rand was first published in England in 1938. It takes place at some unspecified future date when mankind has entered another dark age characterized by irrationality, collectivism, and socialistic thinking and economics. Technological advancement is now carefully planned (when it is allowed to occur at all) and the concept of individuality has been eliminated (for example, the use of the word "I" is punishable by death).
Rand, as a teenager living in Soviet Russia, initially conceived Anthem as a play. This is a novel upholding Rand's central principles of her philosophy and of her heroes: reason, values, volition, individualism. (Summary by Wikipedia and the Reader) (1 hr 18 min)
Chapters
| Part 1 | 33:40 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 2 | 21:38 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 3 | 5:00 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 4 | 4:04 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 5 | 5:32 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 6 | 7:18 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 7 | 13:49 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 8 | 5:03 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 9 | 9:15 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 10 | 9:06 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 11 | 6:46 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
| Part 12 | 12:13 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
Reviews
great reader
Trentor
he suffered for his deeds as all bearers of light must suffer
let freedom ring!
EddieG
In this book, Ayn Rand proclaims the anthem of freedom against the tyrannical backdrop of collectivist ideologies that drown political individuality. This is the story of Equality 7-2521, and his journey from civic drone to the empowerment of self-determination. In a socialist dystopian future (can socialism offer any other kind of future?) not too far removed from Orwellian proportions, our hero rediscovers the joy of Liberty, though it may result in martyrdom: the right of self expression without fear, the right of choosing against social mores without the fear of retaliation, the right to live and die not as a means to an end but as an end in himself. The book is written with much pathos but lacking in finesse. I consider it a channel through which Ayn Rand communicated her political Philosophy rather than a piece of literature in its own right. Libertarians may love it. Liberals may hate it. In any case, it is worth your while if for nothing else than to broaden your political perspectives.
In praise of..
ManyRoads
This anthem rejoices in self, ego, greed, damnation, death , isolation... the antithesis of all that defines community and group. Extremes leave little room for accommodation, tolerance, progress... As always an excellent read by Mr. Chenevert.
Great book- Grear Reader!
Calico
This was my first Ayn Rand book and I thought it was very good. The storyteller was the best yet.
Interesting
Silentflame
This book brought up many interesting points about individually. I enjoyed the reading, but this book lacked character development and excitement.
enjoyed it
Chris
I knew the story as a song but it was great to hear it as abook
A LibriVox Listener
Not bad. A bit slow paced but interesting. Well read as always by Phil.
Moving story, very well read!
Aleksandar Ivano
I am thoroughly impressed by the narrator!