Post by IbanezForever / Redsky

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In the spirit of solidarity with Alberta's school librarians and in protest of Smith's book ban, I wrote a book report on one of the banned books Smith wants to keep. #bookban #AB #AynRandIsAShittyAuthor #AynRandIsAnEvenShittierPhilosopher

I was an English major in university. I'm gonna dust off that knowledge and do a summary of one of the books that is now banned in Alberta school libraries. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand: the male hero of the story is thrown out of university for insubordination. His career goes nowhere because he refuses to listen to anyone. Then he rapes a woman. With few job prospects, he partners with real estate grifters to commit real estate fraud and becomes successful. He then blows up a public housing development with dynamite, but is found not guilty, because the jury thought he sounded really smart when he talked. Fresh off his court victory, the hero hooks up with the woman he raped at the start of the novel.

I mention this novel, not because I think it should be banned, I don't think any books should be banned. But because this novel and its author are beloved favourites of right-wing politicians. Trump cited it as one of his favourite novels and said he identified with the main character. Smith stated that another of Rand's books that also fell to the ban (and is equally problematic) should be part of the public school curriculum. Right wing politicians don't want this book banned, even though it reads like overwrought libertarian fan fiction and contends that rape, grifting, and bombing public housing are acceptable trade-offs to the glory of individual exceptionalism, because they like the message. That men who believe they're exceptional can do whatever they want without consequences, because it is their right. If they are unsuccessful, it is the government keeping them down, not any flaws of their own character or errors of their own making.

The Fountainhead is a poorly written book with an entirely amoral and implausible plot including the creepy af happy ending that is used to celebrate and promote greed, selfishness, and public harm. Rand, the novel's author continued to pen libertarian fantasy works that railed against government intervention, the welfare state, and celebrated the glory of the free markets until her death, broke and, along with her husband, in receipt of social security and medicare benefits.

sep 1, 2025, 9:02 pm • 4 1

Replies

I hope people will read this book.

sep 1, 2025, 11:57 pm • 0 0 • view