In my dream version of AS III, I would cast Kathryn Morris as Dagny anyone agree?

I can't wait for this. True about Ragnar, but John Galt so far has only been a ghostly figure. This could work very effectively since they at least did include Ragnar as a newspaper headline.

Well, I haven't read the novel, but I surely hope I can see a glimpse of the promise land.

Yes!

By the way, don't be afraid to shoot extra scenes or extended scenes to include more of the book. You can always put those on a bonus CD for AS lovers who don't mind watching the longer version.

Nope.

the writer is always chastised for inclusions AND exclusions. coming and going and all that :)

I understand what you said about the editor. But I'll have to say I'm glad Atlas Shrugged is the way it is. It's so rare that so much passion ends up on the printed page--especially these days. I've been through that process a few times and while tightening up the story is good, it's not always best. I don't think the reader of a book wants to fly through just so they can get to the next book, so editors tamper too much and get bent out of shape over word count too much. I think the Money Speech and the John Galt speech are unique literary pieces that are special because of their length, and scope.

five dollar, I have not taken alot of philosophy courses, but read enough to know that AS is philosophy and novel mixed. screws hugely with literary novel style, as we know it, until someone else breaks out of it (style). Erika Holzer talked about Rand's ability to know every word, comma etc. placement in the book and why. extraordinary feat for such a big book. I'd quote it, but I want to tempt you to download the book, "Ayn Rand: My Fiction-Writing Teacher."
I'd love to see her as a guest poster/speaker in the Lounge.
Go read the beginning of "Absolam, Absolam!", Faulkner, and tell me you aren't itching to put some periods in those sentences, as any good editor might. There are specific and deliberate reasons. Is there anyone more specific and deliberate than Rand? :)

While reading AS, I marveled at how beautifully she wrote, in a second language no less. With that said, she really needed a strong editor, or perhaps the willingness to listen to one. She rambled on at times. A hundred pages or more could have been cut and the message would have been the same, and the story much improved.

I'm sure there are many reasons this couldn't be done, but I'd love to see at least an outline of the script posted here for comments from the Gulch.

So far it sounds like no one has given you a reason not to. Maybe it's just me but if someone is trying to destroy me....that's a pretty good reason.

I don't scare easily. no worries.

Yes, I read it...but it was a long time ago. I love everyone until they give me a reason not to!

somebody's paying before I'm bringing MY wax over-
but if you're buyin...

Only for the fans of wax... ;-p

what? love isn't free in here, is it?? down is up

I also lived at the library-because I lived in such a small town, it was the way to "escape." It is interesting and I think unusual to go on to Anthem next. I am trying to think how a 15 year old would react to it. I started with Fountainhead freshman year college. I guess I was too busy trying to impress my english teacher father with how much Dostoyevsky I cram in my head (instead of Hugo, sigh) and Eugene O'Neill plays. dark, dark times :)
you would really enjoy the Fountainhead. and to think all those libraries were compliments of Carnegie-as it should be

I just made an involuntary squeaky noise!

Nice! I'm having withdrawals myself. I loaned mine to a friend who had not read it, but her philosophy meshes with that in AS. She was worthy!

You're correct, my dear. Most things in this life worth doing require effort, and don't usually happen as quickly as we would prefer. But to get through, to finish or accomplish it in the end feels pretty damn good if it was a struggle to get there.

Ok, S, we aren't scary... Much...

RE: "I liked Atlas, although I thought she could have said her message in maybe fewer chapters"
It's actually a pretty common sentiment copperbabe. Don't let the locals here in the Gulch scare you away. We have a pretty protective bunch - which you'll come to find is a good thing. Stick around for a while. You're going to fit right in.

AS is a long book because the message in deep. You can't take a short cut through a journey worth taking. You just said you love EVERYbody, which makes me think you haven't read AS at all.

....Ooh boy.