Should have read classics discussion

This is the discussion for part 1 of Atlas Shrugged. Please remember spoiler alerts.

I'm on chapter three right now and must say that I'm not impressed with Reardon's family right now. I'm liking Dagny very much, she seems like a fun and interesting character that I can't wait to see what will happen to her. I'm rather startled to read some of the similar arguments about aspects of society has not changed in this amount of time.

I have now seen reference to this book multiple times over this weekend. Makes me curious as to what comes ahead.

What does everyone think of Francisco d'Anconia?

I think Francisco D'anconia is very intelligent and insightful about the world around him. He seems to be jaded towards the world, and is using his creativity to tamper with the lives of people that look up to him and are using his ingenuity for their own benefit. I think he knows that people don't have his best interest at heart because of jelousy, and he uses this as his motivation to screw them...I'm still learning about him, but kind of like him so far..I like his intentions...very interesting character.. still early though...could always change my mind later.

I would have to agree with you. It really seems that the world has made him very cynical and jaded. What do you think of him and Dagy together? I can see where he would be drawn to her, but not sure that it would work out in the end.

my first impression of their relatioship was that Francisco wasnt interested in Dagny but in fact interested in her potential. It seems that he wanted a "partner in crime " to conquer the world, so to speak. It would appear that Dagny would do anything for Francisco but Francisco is using it to his advantage...that's my assessment so far.. cant wait to see where this is going :) did u think the Reardon family was disrespectful or is it just me?

The whole dynamic between Reardon and his family was interesting. It was like watching a couple fight when you are out to dinner with them, you want to leave, but end up looking around and trying hard to pretend nothing is wrong. His mother was the one that was hard for me to understand, she was very bitter and just plain mean to her own son, that was hard to read.

So true.. I just want to yell "Reardon stand up for yourself" . I would also personally volenteer to kick his mom out ...lol

I'm on chapter 7 btw

I'm in the middle of chp 5 so far.

I must say... I'm battling boredom with certain parts of this book. I'm not particularly interested in railroads.. want to get to the juicy stuff..lol ..I tend to perk up when Francisco comes back into focus...hanging in there

I would have to agree. Although the railroad info is interesting to a point, it does seem to get a bit tedious when given in such large doses. It seems that Francisco has that effect wherever her goes!

currently starting chapter XI The sacred and the profane... (the title name is interesting)
@ Lisa.. have u made any progress in ur reading?

I hate to say it, but right now baseball has consumed my time. I'm still stuck on the same page as before, so forgive my putt-putt pace, I will try to catch up to you!

Congratulations, well not on the bedrest, but on having a baby! That is wonderful! I have 5 myself and they are a joy! I have to tell you my son's team just won the state 12 and under Cal Ripken championship, so I'm still doing the baseball thing. Hopefully, will have more time soon!

Lisa wrote: "I have to tell you my son's team just won the state 12 and under Cal Ripken championship, so I'm still doing the baseball thing."

And congratulations to you and to your son, Lisa. I know how much fun -- nerve-wracking fun! -- that must have been. Hope you will have a chance to get back to the book; I am curious to read more discussion.

Thanks Michael! It has been fun, my fingernails have taken a beating though! Are you going to join us for this one? I hope that you can!

I'll bet they did -- your fingernails! I hope for their sake your son is not a pitcher.... : ) Whatever position he plays, that is an accomplishment he will always have, and always remember. What a wonderful thing. As for the book -- Lisa, I have not read Atlas Shrugged and can't get to it right now. I did read Ayn Rand's first novel We the Living last year, and liked it more than I had expected to. So I was interested in the discussion of this one.

Hey all, I'm new to groups. I'm assuming that as this is titled 'part 1' we can discuss anything in part 1 and it won't be considered a spoiler.

I like Francisco well enough. I do believe he loves Dagny quite a lot. I'm very curious to find out what happened to 'the three of them' in college and who # 3 is.

While I do like the way that Dagny and Hank relate to each other I am not a fan of Hank. Then again I'm not a fan of his family either. Are there any redeeming qualities in any of them?

While Dagny may be a very competent woman, she is a villian. Of course the book is written so that you cheer for her and sympathize with her, but do we really think that 'forgiveness is a sin'? etc.

I would discuss more on what is becoming the theme of this book, but I'm not sure how much that would be considered spoiler.

Hi Laurie, welcome to the group. There are many things about this book that I hope to discuss. I also hope there are no spoilers. :) my favorite character by far would be Francisco.. I love that he is intelligent and witty.

Hello all, I'm back from vacation so hopefully can participate in the book discussions from now on! By now in this thread, let's assume that spoilers can be talked about. I hate having to talk around the subjects now so feel free from here on out in any Atlas thread to discuss spoilers.

Hello and welcome Laurie! Love the comments and glad that you joined us!

@ lisa thx for allowing spoilers :)

I have been surprised at how steamy this novel has become. Not that it is a distraction, but some of the scenes took me by surprise.

How does everyone feel about the pairing of Dagny and Rearden? Good or bad match?

I would say neither good or bad but ironic match. Dagny didn't seem to be Reardon's type, but rather something to conquer, almost like a business venture. Dagny and Lillian are total opposites, so it is an interesting mix of events. I thought Dagny would wait for Francisco but surprisingly not. She never occured to me as the type of person to partake in an adultery. The more I read, the more I think that Dagny doesn't know what she wants, and I question her life goals and relationship motives. I won't say too much, but as you read on you will see what I mean.

I'm already getting that from her. I enjoy her determination and spunk in that aspect, but as far as liking Any of the characters so far, I'm not impressed with them.

I think we have to be careful not to give Dagny attributes that don't belong to her. We can't look at her through our our eyes or with our own moral compass.

In fact I'd say that the reason the author wrote Hank the way she did was to make the point that this behaviour (adultery) is perfectly justified.


In fact isn't she actually saying that his marriage to Lilian is what is immoral and the affair is justified and righteous?

I'm only on part two (I know a little slow) so perhaps there are still revelations about her character I have yet to figure out.

After reading more of the book, I would have to agree that judging Dagny and Hank was wrong. Laurie, I would have to agree with you about the relaitionship between the two of them, it does make you look at Lillian differently. of course, I was never happy with Reardon's family to begin with.

Great discussion, everyone! It's rather insightful and interesting, and I'm always up for stimulating conversations involving literature.

I'm at the very beginning of Part II, so I thought I'd check it out. Lisa- thank you, again, for the great suggestion.:)