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Summary
In a scrap heap within an abandoned factory, the greatest invention in history lies dormant and unused. By what fatal error of judgment has its value gone unrecognized, its brilliant inventor punished rather than rewarded for his efforts?
I managed to reach the age of 38 without ever picking up this book, and I didn't even have a clear idea of what it was about. I had heard some bizarre things about Ayn Rand and her followers, but to my surprise, the book turned out to be quite enjoyable. The scope of the story was impressively vast, and her writing style was distinctive, ranging from deep and engaging storytelling to moments of shallow and titillating fiction. However, as a Sci-Fi enthusiast, I'm accustomed to that kind of variation. In many ways, it felt like an adventure in the vein of Asimov's science fiction, set during the early stages of our nation's technological and industrial development. In short, I really regret not reading it earlier.
I decided to give this audiobook a shot because it has been highly talked about, and I wanted to gain a better understanding of more conservative ideologies. I discovered that I actually agree with a lot of the author's viewpoints, but she certainly takes them to extreme levels.
One major issue I had with the audiobook is its excessive length. While I generally don't mind long books, this one seemed to drag on without introducing any new content or ideas. It felt like listening to the same sermon over and over again, which became quite repetitive and tiresome.
Moreover, I must say that I really can't stand Hank Rearden as a character. He comes across as dull and uninteresting, lacking any depth or complexity. Dagny isn't much better either, to be honest. Although I haven't reached the end yet, I genuinely hope they meet a tragic fate.
And let's be real here, trains aren't the key to finding lasting fulfillment. They just don't have that magic, you know?
I have both versions narrated by Hurt and Brick. I am absolutely hooked on the story.
In the Hurt version, the sound quality is seriously bad. Like, really bad. However, he truly understands the characters and does a great job bringing them to life.
In the Brick version, the sound quality is a hundred times better than in the Hurt version. BUT - I don't think he excels in using his voice to portray the characters. It feels like he has a generic "man" voice and a generic "woman" voice, which makes it difficult to distinguish between multiple male characters. It's even worse with the female characters - Dagne sounds all breathy, like Marilyn Monroe. I mean, any woman who has ever come across a female executive knows they don't talk like that! Especially Dagne, who is a woman of action, vitality, and strong opinions. She's not some high-society wife with nothing to do all day but be pampered.
What confuses me is why they chose a male narrator for the book. Yes, it's a story about business and industry, but it was written by a woman and the main character is a woman. So, many of the interactions are seen through a woman's perspective. I just don't get it. There must be confident and decisive women out there who are more than capable of narrating this book. Maybe someone like Hillary Clinton, Barbara Walters, or any powerful and strong-willed woman who isn't afraid of giving orders to men older than herself. Just not someone trying to imitate Marilyn Monroe.
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