The things I do for you people.....

As you readers know, I occassionally criticize Ayn Rand rather harshly. She deserves it: Her books are boring screeds that promote self-interest above everything else in the misguided notion that that will make for a better society. Even worse are her pointy-head followers, who seem to consist mostly of people who read one of her books their Sophmore year of college and never recovered. (Which is a dangerous time: I was permanently scarred, but in a much more charming way, by "Franny and Zooey" the same way.)

But I have to admit, the only things I've read of hers are "The Fountainhead" (her romance novel about Architecture) and a bit of "Atlas Shrugged". But I think that since I like to criticize her (She's the rich man's Ann Coulter - how's that?) I should know more about her writings. So I am attempting to complete "Atlas Shrugged"

In this 1500 page slice of joy, the story seems to be set in some future (for the 1950's) world in which people still commonly travel by rail and everything is falling apart except for some companies that are ran by selfish people (of course). There's a sort of Paris Hilton-y type, and a sort of Dick Cheney type, and some guy who may be the hero, or may turn out to be milquetoast.

At least I now know the origin of the phrase "Who is John Gault". I always thought John Gault was a porn star.

Anyway, I slogged through the first chapter last night, and am just counting down the pages until the Paris Hilton figure gets raped and loves it - just loves it. I'm also wondering if the Oak Tree hit by lightning is supposed to foreshadow something.

I will keep you updated as to my progress, but I reserve the right to skip through any monologue that lasts more than two pages or begins with something ponderous like "Since man first discovered fire, his greatest fear has been getting burnt...."

More than anything, it makes me wish that Ayn Rand and Dorothy Parker had met for cocktails. Dorothy would have destroyed her.