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Title: Romantic Manifesto by Ayn Rand ISBN: 0-451-14916-5 Publisher: New American Library Pub. Date: June, 1975 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.47 (32 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: An astonishingly clear manual for writers of fiction
Comment: I'm an aspiring writer. I also like Ayn Rand enough to be considered a "randroid" (love it, and props to whoever came up with it) by some. However, that aside, reading the Romantic Manifesto was truly a life changing experience. Her fiction has inspired me on many levels, but I would not say they have been life altering. However, this book, this manifesto, has shown me, in easy to understand terms, what makes good fiction, and what kind of art I want to participate in. So much of the crap that is held in esteem at my university is utterly nonintelligible. Why? Great ideas can have simple explanations. That is, I think, Rand's greatest gift. Passionate simplicity. The Romantic Manifesto contains within a blueprint for writers, a blueprint that I already carried in my heart and in my head, but lacked the words to put to paper. For the first time, I'm truly proud of what I write, and I know where it will take me. Thanks Ayn. Any aspiring writer of fiction should read this.
Rating: 2
Summary: okkkk....
Comment: I want to start out by saying that I am a major Ayn Rand fan. Atlas Shrugged is my favorite book, and I agree with most every point of her philosophy (except when you go beyond the books she wrote, and see how she tried to force the world into being her ideal world, which of course was unsuccessful immediately and resulted in her unhappiness). I was very disturbed by only one part of Atlas Shrugged, which was when Eddie Willers dies (I assume, based on where the book left him). This aspect of her greatest novel shows through in "the romantic manifesto" and makes it, of all the writings I've read from Ayn Rand, the worst of her work. She basically dismisses all art that is not in line with her opinion. I agree she is a wonderful expert in literature, but I got the feeling that she was attacking painting and other types of art as well throughout this book. She invalidates all Impressionist painters, and just about every writer except herself and Victor Hugo. Now, I've read many great books by many great authors outside of that narrow realm. It seemed as if she wanted to enjoy certain music and works of art, but fought within herself to forbid herself to enjoy it because it was "immoral" or something. I don't quite understand why she thought it was necessary to destroy all art except that which is objectively "fitting." I hold her view of life, but I love Van Gogh, and I think his paintings are MUCH more emotion and thought inducing than Vermeer... sometimes, the blurry paintings are the ones that induce the most clarity and the highest number of connections in peoples' minds. And often, art that displays misery, anguish, and pain is so beautifully and intricately done, in so clear and advanced a manner, that I can love viewing or hearing it without "agreeing" with it-- and I can love it just as much as I love an artistic work that agrees with my philosophy of life. What I mean to say, is that Ayn Rand's Objectivism is the only real way to achieve your goals and live your life fully and happily; however, objectivism shouldn't eliminate all that is weird and different and special about the world-- it should be limited to a way to live life on Earth. It is not meant to explain how the universe actually behaves at the subatomic level, or in the far reaches of space. Instead, it is a way to prevent chaos and uncertainty and fear from overcoming our own lives on Earth.
Rating: 4
Summary: Truth and Beauty: Art Expresses Philsophy
Comment: I think that Ayn Rand's greatest contribution to art is the idea that art is the product of philosophy. What we believe and what he hold dear is what makes up the sum and substance of our art. Furthermore, art affirms our philosophy,. In this way, she bridges the gap between truth and beauty. We hold the beautiful to be beautiful because it is true.
Sadly, Any Rand is one of the few artists that has a coherent philosophy. Others include J. R. R. Tolkien (Catholic), C. S. Lewis (Anglican), Steven Spielberg (Jewish), and Orson Scott Card (Mormonism). The reason why I find myself gravitating to these artists is that they believe something, and it is their passion that shows through.
But as Rand points out, it is not just passion, but a specific passion about humanity and human potential. Having slogged my way through "Atlas Shrugged," I believe that Rand is correct. It is a character's ethics and values that drive them. We want to believe, and these characters that achieve-be it Frodo, Peter and Lucy, or Ender Wiggam--affirm our belief.
This book is great text on aesthetic theory, but it should be read after reading "Philosophy--Who Needs it? Rand does her usual lucid, concise, and very intelligible job of explaining her philosophy, and connecting it to art. And, of course, Nick Gaetanos' robust cover art is worth the price of the book.
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Title: Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism by Ayn Rand ISBN: 0451163931 Publisher: New American Library Pub. Date: July, 1989 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal by Ayn Rand ISBN: 0451147952 Publisher: New American Library Pub. Date: July, 1986 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: For the New Intellectual by Ayn Rand ISBN: 0451163087 Publisher: New American Library Pub. Date: March, 1984 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Philosophy: Who Needs It by Ayn Rand ISBN: 0451138937 Publisher: New American Library Pub. Date: April, 1985 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: We the Living by Ayn Rand ISBN: 0451187849 Publisher: New American Library Pub. Date: January, 1996 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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