The Ludwig von Mises Institute has reprinted the four novels written by Garet Garrett (1878-1954), one of America’s leading financial journalists and a libertarian. Garrett, who for unknown reasons had renamed himself so that both parts sounded alike, was a writer of distinctive ideas and a forcefully distinctive style. FULL ARTICLE
Source link: http://blog.mises.org/9151/the-capitalist-fiction-of-garet-garrett/
The Capitalist Fiction of Garet Garrett
Previous post: Free-Market Education
Next post: Be of Good Cheer: Christmas Greetings from Sean Gabb
{ 6 comments }
After reading the “evidence” presented, I would say it’s highly improbable that Ayn Rand did not lift the name ‘Galt’ and the expression “Who is John Galt” from Garrett’s works. Unless it is a freakish coincidence, I support Raimondo in his assertion. I would even go so far as to say that her style of writing resembles Garrett’s.
From the evidence I have seen, if AR did lift something from The Driver, then it was either unconscious or a deliberate homage to an admired author. When authors steal from each other (which of course they do all the time) they swipe devices with meaning and value, not a character’s last name.
any chance we’ll see audio versions of these books?
I hope everyone’s enjoying their holiday.
Rand was not a stupid woman. I’m sure she didn’t think she could slip the use of the name and the expression past readers of the genre. It may have been nothing more than a simple reference, or as was already suggeted, a homage to Garrett’s work.
“When authors steal from each other (which of course they do all the time) they swipe devices with meaning and value, not a character’s last name.”
Science fiction writers do it all the time, and not so subtley, I might add. They generally do it to pay homage or to build upon a previous idea.
“it was either unconscious or a deliberate homage to an admired author.”
try reading Anthem by Rand and then We by Yevgeny Zamyatin.
great, thanks – I love fiction books.
Comments on this entry are closed.