It has been 50 years since Russian-born Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum -- more commonly known as Ayn Rand -- wrote her much-loved and equally derided novel, Atlas Shrugged.
Buy books by Ayn Rand at Rediff Shopping
Millions embraced it, some going so far as to claim it brought Communism to a stop while welcoming capitalism. Millions thought it almost as influential as the Bible. And yet, a great many also believe it is little more than a soap opera; a thousand pages of page-turning pulp fiction.
Ayn Rand is still adored. There are organisations dedicated solely towards propagating her ideas, and copies of her work still fly off bookshelves, albeit less swiftly than before. Some continue to label her a great philosopher, and an uncompromising supporter of individualism. Others say her unabashed defence of greed and her attacks against religion and charity can be dangerous considering the times we live in.
What do you think? Is John Galt, the proverbial Atlas holding the world on his shoulders, still a model for our times? Does Ayn Rand still deserve a place of prominence on our bookshelves? Tell us.
LINKS:
More from rediff