Hyperbole to draw readers in.  Sounds like it did not work on you.

The first is the club moderator who read the book along side his catechism.  He declined confirmation.  The second, both surprisingly and not, declares himself a conservative.  The third thought the book described the 30s more than the 50s and had a comic book feel to it.

Of the three, the most interesting observation was from the second.  He noted:

Holding people in contempt is a virtue itself, it seems: 

"Don't show that you're scared Jim," she said contemptuously.

Reardon felt contempt for the groups of that kind and saw no reason for a closer inquiry of their nature. 

But an almost unendurable contempt made him close his eyes instead. 

When called upon he moved with contemptuous slowness. 

She had shrugged, contemptuously amused...

Dagny lived in the future -- in the world she expected to find, where she would not have to feel contempt or boredom.

She was talking to a couple of helpless young men, her face contemptuously empty.

Dagny thought of the party and shrugged in contemptuous reproach at her own disappointment.

[Francisco:] "I am not committing the contemptible act of asking you to take me on faith"

That's just the first five chapters. And of course, it isn't just the word. Wyatt accuses Dagny, "You expect to feed off me while you can and to find another carcass to pick dry after you have finished mine. That is the policy of most of mankind today."

Zealot defenders of the faith came out to comment. But a short scan did not reveal any of special interest.