Anne's Ayn

I just read Anne Heller's Ayn Rand And The World She Made.  It's probably the best book about Rand--but then, it's one of the few books written about her from the outside. (An objective book about the first Objectivist.) Heller appreciates her accomplishments, but isn't an acolyte, and didn't even read Rand's novels until she was in her forties.  She also offers a good balance of biography and literary analysis.

She may not be in sympathy, but Heller gives Rand her due.  Heller conjures up a women who must have been quite magnetic in person--not only did she gather a circle, she also charmed quite a few people who didn't agree with her politics.  She had talent, insight, high intelligence and an astonishing work ethic. (Rand wrote about the importance of money, but it was never her central motivation.) Even if she wasn't a first-class writer, she created indelible characters, sturdy plots and fascinating set pieces that make her work live while so much that was highly regarded in her day is forgotten.

But Heller doesn't (couldn't) ignore the dark side.  Rand had a temper and seemed incapable of blaming herself for anything--sooner or later, she'd fall out with almost everyone she cared about. And as she became more successful, she became more absolutist--a dangerous stance in any case, but especially when you espouse the value of selfishness.  Rand also started taking credit for everything in her life, forgetting all the friends and influences that got her to where she was.

In a way it's a sad life.  Yet, you can understand how whatever it is that drove Rand to be impossible also drove her to create the work for which she'll be remembered.