Atlas Shrugged

[poliphilo]

I said in a comment that I'd check how many times Oldham Library's copy of Atlas Shrugged has been borrowed. The answer is three times since 2008. 

Comments

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

At least the people of Oldham seem to have some discernment. I suppose I ought to read the books just to find out what the enemy is thinking. I have read the reviews and commentary on the philosophy (can we call it that) of Ayn Rand, and long ago decided it's not for me. I suppose I ought to have gone to the source, rather than reading biased commentary first.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My friend Judy tells me I should read Anthem- which is short. If I were interested in Rand, I suppose I would, but I'm not.

[ron-broxted.livejournal.com]

Aye lad and two of those times it was cos Ollernshaw's table leg were wobbly.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Given the size of the book Ollernshaw's table must have been missing half a leg.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

That doesn't surprise me. The kinds of folks who read Atlas Shrugged tend to be folks who buy their books.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Until the advent of the neo-cons Ayn Rand was virtually unknown in Britain. She's still very far from being a household name.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

She's probably not your cup of tea. I read her first in the Sixties.

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

I was going to say maybe her fans don't believe in libraries. Haven't her books stayed in print pretty much for over 50 years now?

Or maybe Oldham is a liberal area? I never saw any notice of the movie in my liberal area theatres.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I think Rand would have preferred libraries that were supported by voluntary contributions but no, neither she nor her fans are anti-library per se.

I don't think the movie got wide distribution anywhere, and I'm not sure it was released at all outside the U.S. Its principal bankroller lives near Philadelphia, and the target audience was pretty much U.S.A.ian. It had a bit of an initial buzz but then collapsed. I suspect that it will do reasonably well on DVD, though.

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

Yes, they'll buy DVDs to watch in the resort with the private cabins, each with its private swimming pool.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I think there are lots of supporters from slightly less affluent demographic groups.

[bemused-leftist.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I was making an allusion to something in Rand's FOUNTAINHEAD. When most resorts were big hotels with one big central swimming pool, the hero designed one (for modest income people) with private cabins and separate pools.

My point was that many of her fans might prefer to watch the movie in their homes rather than as part of a crowd in a theatre.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

Could be. I don't remember that bit about the individual pools and cabins from The Fountainhead, but it's been a long time since I read it.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

I am mildly surprised that the number is so high.

An old flame used to say that I was John Galt and should make a serious effort to read the book, though I never did. Ironically, there is some evidence that she was arguably correct, despite my having no use whatsoever for Rand or her admirers.