Ayn Rand's epic novel Atlas Shrugged is one I've wanted to read for many years (it has, to my shame, been lying on my bookshelf for at least 4 years), and I am so glad that I finally did.

It is an amazingly complex, dense narrative with excellent characters, an exquisite writing style and a plot that forces you to keep reading. The dystopian America in which the book is set is one that at first seems quite familiar, but becomes increasingly foreign as the book progresses.

This is not, however, an easy read. It is to a large extent an expression of Ayn Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, and as such contains a great deal of philosophical discussions. These are both subtly implied and explicitly stated (as in the famous speech in the book's climax which is essentially a 60 page philosophical treatise unbroken by any narrative - I must confessed I skimmed through this).

The heroic nature of the protagonists is quite inspiring, and while I don't agree with all the details of Rand's pro-capitalist view, the overall message is intelligent and quite convincing. I suspect that had I read this book 5 years ago I would be a different person today.

"Who is Joh Galt?"