We the Living by Ayn Rand

Description

“We the Living” is a novel written by Ayn Rand, originally published in 1936. It was Rand’s first published novel and is set in Soviet Russia during the early years of the Russian Revolution. The story revolves around the lives of three main characters: Kira Argounova, Leo Kovalensky, and Andrei Taganov.

The novel explores themes such as individualism, the struggle for personal freedom, and the impact of a collectivist society on the lives of individuals. Kira, the protagonist, is a young woman with a strong sense of individualism and a desire for personal freedom. She faces numerous challenges in a society that suppresses individual rights and promotes the collective good.

“We the Living” provides a critical view of the oppressive nature of the Soviet regime and the toll it takes on the lives of those who strive to maintain their individuality in the face of government control. The novel draws on Ayn Rand’s own experiences in Soviet Russia and serves as an early expression of the philosophical ideas that would later become more fully developed in her later works, such as “Anthem,” “The Fountainhead,” and “Atlas Shrugged.”