Hootin’ Anni’s

It was first published in 1957. And it remains a heavily sought after work of fiction. Especially with the economics classes along with literature fields. The characters are strong mostly; some are weak and tend to lend a comedic relief in such a serious topic. Even after two weeks now that I’ve completed the book, it still lingers in my mind.

I, of course, do NOT want to give anything away, but throughout there is a question. A question that is answered – or is it? You must read to find out. Along with the characters, there is a strong setting. A setting of suspense, a setting of familial happenstance[s], of greed, construction and destruction. Strikes, deserters, looters, moochers, teachers, students, scientists, a whole society. Some are warped, while others remain keen and unflinching throughout. There is riches. There is tokens of greatness. High self-esteem, secrets, disappearances, deaths…it’s filled with intrigue.

I found it quite ironic that tho it was written and composed and printed in the 1950′s, and probably no doubt it had its share of criticisms and thoughts of banning back then to us readers….but the book, througout, remains in my mind because of the fact that the way the plot runs; it could well have taken place in today’s times!!! It’s so unrealistic in that aspect. Unrealistic for me in a shocking way. Not that it’s not realistic. It’s ironic. I guess you have to read the book to understand what I’m trying to convey.

I hear that they are making a movie from this novel. I just don’t see how in the world it could be even CLOSE to following the book without being a five hour movie…at least! Altho, I HAVE envisioned the main characters —at least TWO. I have Antonio Banderas playing Francisco…through the entire book! It just has to be Antonio. {LOL} And Dagny? The female lead character? Thank goodness I heard that Angelina Jolie quit the movie production. She just DOESN’T fit the character; she would have been SO WRONG. Again, throughout the book as I read —Dagny should be played by Jennifer Connelly. Okay…so, you can say it: “Anni’s weird”. In all honesty, I think they’d be wiser if they would produce and commit to making this a TV miniseries like Roots! Or Rich Man, Poor Man…or on the way of Thorn Birds. They’d make more money. Oops…money…that’s all part of Atlas Shrugged too.

I tried several times to get this book from the public library since it’s expensive in the bookstores…it was $22.00 for a paperback/softcover!!! But after so many telling me just how excellent it is, I broke down and bought my own copy through Barnes and Noble using an online 30% off coupon. And believe me, it is worth EVERY penny spent. I’m keeping this one. To re-read over and over.

Let me leave you with just a snippet –a teaser– of what’s inside the book covers:

…”An animal is equipped for sustaining its life; its senses provide it with an automatic code of action, an automatic knowledge of what is good for it or evil. It has no power to extend its knowledge or to evade it. In conditions where its knowledge proves inadequate, it dies. But so long as it lives, it acts on its knowledge, with automatic safety and no power of choice, it is unable to ignore its own good, unable to decide to choose the evil and act as its own destroyer.

Man has no automatic code of survival. His particular distinction from all other living species is the necessity to act in the face of alter-natives by means of volitional choice. He has no automatic knowledge of what is good for him or evil, what values his life depends on, what course of action it requires. ….” “Man must obtain his knowledge and choose his actions by a process of thinking, which nature will not force him to perform. Man has the power to act as his own destroyer….”

I was tagged by Antoinette, and I’ve added myself to the sisterhood. Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo in your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Add your link to the list of participants below

5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

I nominate anyone who wishes to join the internet sisterhood. Just click on the logo to enlarge it, save it, and copy the list. Don’t forget to add your name. Then, pass it on if you choose to do so. Even if you don’t want to tag anyone…grab the tag & put the button on your sidebar and invite anyone to join in with supporting the worthy research. Tho Breast Cancer Awareness Month is October, it is definitely something to continue supporting each and every day!!!

PINK Sisterhood

1- Fara 2- Massy 3- N.O.Y 4- Mariuca 5- A Great Pleasure 6- LadyJava 7- Kim 8- Pink Thoughts 9- Turn-u-Off 10- Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 11- STAY AT HOME MOM 12- Fida Abbott 13- Also Mommy 14- Janice Ng 15- Juliana’s Site 16- The Painted Veil 17- Heart of Rachel 18- Mga Muni-muni 19-Picture Clusters 20- Scraps of Mind 21- Antoinette 22 – Hootin’ Anni – 23 YOU

Also, one more thing today, the Fun Monday salute to Veterans with hostess Jan—
With pride of a United States Marine mom that I am…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! You’re now 233 Years young!!
Ooooooooorah!!!

All U.S. Marines are gung-ho. But, few can match the vision and total commitment of the famous 13th Commandant, Gen. John A. Lejeune. In 1921 he issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. Gen. Lejeune’s order summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps. It further directed that the order be read to all Marines on 10 November of each year to honor the founding of the Marine Corps. Thereafter, 10 November became a unique day for U.S. Marines throughout the world.

- – -

To all Veterans around the world…thanks for protecting us in the past, now and in the future. You are remembered! Our freedom comes at a cost of lives, and we give thanks to those who fought for our country. I love and lost the 1st “Love of my Life” from High School….he was shot down in Viet Nam. His platoon sergeant told me in a letter, “Frank never knew what hit him”. I still miss and still mourn the loss….tho he died in valor, I still feel it a waste of such a good life. I honor him today. [His name is on the great wall in Washington D.C. ---I cried so much at the time when I saw it, that I couldn't even touch his name]. Tomorrow, if I can get to scanning, I will have a much better post on all the VETS that I personally have the privilege of calling ‘my own”.

It was first published in 1957. And it remains a heavily sought after work of fiction. Especially with the economics classes along with literature fields. The characters are strong mostly; some are weak and tend to lend a comedic relief in such a serious topic. Even after two weeks now that I’ve completed the book, it still lingers in my mind.

I, of course, do NOT want to give anything away, but throughout there is a question. A question that is answered – or is it? You must read to find out. Along with the characters, there is a strong setting. A setting of suspense, a setting of familial happenstance[s], of greed, construction and destruction. Strikes, deserters, looters, moochers, teachers, students, scientists, a whole society. Some are warped, while others remain keen and unflinching throughout. There is riches. There is tokens of greatness. High self-esteem, secrets, disappearances, deaths…it’s filled with intrigue.

I found it quite ironic that tho it was written and composed and printed in the 1950′s, and probably no doubt it had its share of criticisms and thoughts of banning back then to us readers….but the book, througout, remains in my mind because of the fact that the way the plot runs; it could well have taken place in today’s times!!! It’s so unrealistic in that aspect. Unrealistic for me in a shocking way. Not that it’s not realistic. It’s ironic. I guess you have to read the book to understand what I’m trying to convey.

I hear that they are making a movie from this novel. I just don’t see how in the world it could be even CLOSE to following the book without being a five hour movie…at least! Altho, I HAVE envisioned the main characters —at least TWO. I have Antonio Banderas playing Francisco…through the entire book! It just has to be Antonio. {LOL} And Dagny? The female lead character? Thank goodness I heard that Angelina Jolie quit the movie production. She just DOESN’T fit the character; she would have been SO WRONG. Again, throughout the book as I read —Dagny should be played by Jennifer Connelly. Okay…so, you can say it: “Anni’s weird”. In all honesty, I think they’d be wiser if they would produce and commit to making this a TV miniseries like Roots! Or Rich Man, Poor Man…or on the way of Thorn Birds. They’d make more money. Oops…money…that’s all part of Atlas Shrugged too.

I tried several times to get this book from the public library since it’s expensive in the bookstores…it was $22.00 for a paperback/softcover!!! But after so many telling me just how excellent it is, I broke down and bought my own copy through Barnes and Noble using an online 30% off coupon. And believe me, it is worth EVERY penny spent. I’m keeping this one. To re-read over and over.

Let me leave you with just a snippet –a teaser– of what’s inside the book covers:

…”An animal is equipped for sustaining its life; its senses provide it with an automatic code of action, an automatic knowledge of what is good for it or evil. It has no power to extend its knowledge or to evade it. In conditions where its knowledge proves inadequate, it dies. But so long as it lives, it acts on its knowledge, with automatic safety and no power of choice, it is unable to ignore its own good, unable to decide to choose the evil and act as its own destroyer.

Man has no automatic code of survival. His particular distinction from all other living species is the necessity to act in the face of alter-natives by means of volitional choice. He has no automatic knowledge of what is good for him or evil, what values his life depends on, what course of action it requires. ….” “Man must obtain his knowledge and choose his actions by a process of thinking, which nature will not force him to perform. Man has the power to act as his own destroyer….”

I was tagged by Antoinette, and I’ve added myself to the sisterhood. Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo in your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Add your link to the list of participants below

5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

I nominate anyone who wishes to join the internet sisterhood. Just click on the logo to enlarge it, save it, and copy the list. Don’t forget to add your name. Then, pass it on if you choose to do so. Even if you don’t want to tag anyone…grab the tag & put the button on your sidebar and invite anyone to join in with supporting the worthy research. Tho Breast Cancer Awareness Month is October, it is definitely something to continue supporting each and every day!!!

PINK Sisterhood

1- Fara 2- Massy 3- N.O.Y 4- Mariuca 5- A Great Pleasure 6- LadyJava 7- Kim 8- Pink Thoughts 9- Turn-u-Off 10- Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 11- STAY AT HOME MOM 12- Fida Abbott 13- Also Mommy 14- Janice Ng 15- Juliana’s Site 16- The Painted Veil 17- Heart of Rachel 18- Mga Muni-muni 19-Picture Clusters 20- Scraps of Mind 21- Antoinette 22 – Hootin’ Anni – 23 YOU

Also, one more thing today, the Fun Monday salute to Veterans with hostess Jan—
With pride of a United States Marine mom that I am…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! You’re now 233 Years young!!
Ooooooooorah!!!

All U.S. Marines are gung-ho. But, few can match the vision and total commitment of the famous 13th Commandant, Gen. John A. Lejeune. In 1921 he issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. Gen. Lejeune’s order summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps. It further directed that the order be read to all Marines on 10 November of each year to honor the founding of the Marine Corps. Thereafter, 10 November became a unique day for U.S. Marines throughout the world.

- – -

To all Veterans around the world…thanks for protecting us in the past, now and in the future. You are remembered! Our freedom comes at a cost of lives, and we give thanks to those who fought for our country. I love and lost the 1st “Love of my Life” from High School….he was shot down in Viet Nam. His platoon sergeant told me in a letter, “Frank never knew what hit him”. I still miss and still mourn the loss….tho he died in valor, I still feel it a waste of such a good life. I honor him today. [His name is on the great wall in Washington D.C. ---I cried so much at the time when I saw it, that I couldn't even touch his name]. Tomorrow, if I can get to scanning, I will have a much better post on all the VETS that I personally have the privilege of calling ‘my own”.