The real problem I have with Rand’s writing is how it’s not even thinly veiled romantic fantasy for a woman who was so poisonous and unlikeable that no one could ever love.
Rand was married to Frank O’Conner for 50 years, and he spoke about his deep love and devotion for her. She also had a lover, Nathanial Branden, for 14 years (with Frank’s knowledge and permission) who also spoke about his love and passion for her.
She was a horrible person with a repulsive, nonsensical philosophy, but she did have people who loved her.
She was a fascinating person, and if you’re genuinely interested in learning more about her, I recommend the installment about her of the podcast Origin Story, which you can find on this page: https://www.podmasters.co.uk/origin-story or, as they say, wherever you get your podcasts. It’s very well-researched and informative (one advantage of being a podcast written and presented by actual seasoned journalists), while also being told with a light, funny touch.
I found it genuinely very funny. Probably unintentionally, but my God some of the stuff was fucking incredible.
The bit where a guy puts out a furnace fire with his bare hands, the bit where a guy gives a homeless man a $100 instead of a single but because “charity degrades everyone” neither of them notice or care, the living inside a hologram volcano, the pages of uninterrupted monologue…
The real problem I have with Rand’s writing is how it’s not even thinly veiled romantic fantasy for a woman who was so poisonous and unlikeable that no one could ever love.
Rand was married to Frank O’Conner for 50 years, and he spoke about his deep love and devotion for her. She also had a lover, Nathanial Branden, for 14 years (with Frank’s knowledge and permission) who also spoke about his love and passion for her.
She was a horrible person with a repulsive, nonsensical philosophy, but she did have people who loved her.
She was a fascinating person, and if you’re genuinely interested in learning more about her, I recommend the installment about her of the podcast Origin Story, which you can find on this page: https://www.podmasters.co.uk/origin-story or, as they say, wherever you get your podcasts. It’s very well-researched and informative (one advantage of being a podcast written and presented by actual seasoned journalists), while also being told with a light, funny touch.
I found it genuinely very funny. Probably unintentionally, but my God some of the stuff was fucking incredible.
The bit where a guy puts out a furnace fire with his bare hands, the bit where a guy gives a homeless man a $100 instead of a single but because “charity degrades everyone” neither of them notice or care, the living inside a hologram volcano, the pages of uninterrupted monologue…
perfection