I read this book in Middle School and I can't for the life of me remember the title, but I can remember what it was about for the most part:

Takes place in the future, the government imposes laws that outlaw people from being different in appearance and skill level. For example, if you are fast or strong or tall, they will put weights on you to weigh you down so that you'll be more slower/shorter and more like the average. Another example, if you are pretty the government issues you "ugly glasses" etc.

Basically, it's all about making sure everyone is equal and punishing the extraordinary.

One of the main characters (a man) decides to literally loose himself of his shackles and weights, breaking them to display his power (if I'm remembering correctly).

Any ideas folks?

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    “if you are pretty the government issues you "ugly glasses"” — what? Glasses are totally hot. – Paul D. Waite Sep 5 '14 at 15:35
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    I know this has been answered and accepted - but I found the story outline remarkably similar to a short story by Jerome K Jerome libertarian.co.uk/lapubs/cultn/cultn014.pdf published in 1891 – HorusKol Jan 11 '16 at 2:38
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    @PaulD.Waite oh hon, you haven't seen the reading glasses rack at my local CVS – MissMonicaE Mar 2 '17 at 15:02

Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut

The opening paragraph starts:


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    I thought "Harrison Bergeron" when I saw the subject header. Classic story, and good and short - you can read it here: tnellen.com/cybereng/harrison.html. – Chris B. Behrens May 2 '12 at 14:28
  • @ChrisB.Behrens, that's the story I originally thought it was at first, too. :P – joshmax Jun 7 '12 at 21:49

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