Ayn Rand only wrote two books, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and died more than twenty years ago. But her idiosyncratic philosophy called “Objectivism” lives on and seems to perennially draw a renewed cult following amongst many college students.
Rand’s books still sell 300,000 copies annually.
However, when Modern Library surveyed publishers for its top 100 books of the 20th Century, Rand wasn’t even mentioned. But when they asked everyday readers to make their picks she came in number one, reports the Baltimore Sun.
Interestingly, sci-fi writer and founder of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard had three books in the top ten of that same popular listing.
What does this mean? Did the publishers somehow neglect or ignore the genius of these authors?
Some might conclude that the pop picks only reflected the devotion and organized efforts of those obsessed with their personal favorites.
Author of the Sun article and Pulitzer Prize winner Ray Jenkins points out the dark side of Rand. This includes, “megalomania,” self-centered indulgences and a humorless, dogmatic driven nature.
Does this sound familiar?
Is it possible that Ayn Rand actually had more in common with purported “cult leader” L. Ron Hubbard, than authors like Hemmingway or Joyce?
Wait a minute. No one is “deprogramming” Rand’s rapt readers.
But it’s interesting to note the parallels between “cults” and some aspects of Rand and her erstwhile acolytes.
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