The Fountainhead

I would have given this book three starts but the fact the story managed to keep me interested through 700 pages, at least 200 of which were characters spouting off Rand's philosophy's thinly veiled as monologues or what would generously be called lopsided dialogue. That said, it still is quite interesting and if nothing else, it resurrected my 5th grade dream of being an architect. You could probably read this or [book: Atlas Shrugged] and not need to read the other.

I wouldn't comment on the story, I should not comment on the story as most part of it exactly co-relates with my life.

Also I have no right nor the wit to comment on this legendary novel. That's all you would want me to say,no... no!! that's it what you want to hear from what I might have said, see I have just made it simple for the readers.

Book Club pick. Huge book, classic. I enjoyed it for the most part. But... Is it worth the hype? not sure. I appreciate Roarke's uncompromising ideals but all that happens in this book is fairly melodramatic. I cannot imagine an architect dynamiting a housing complex because the design had been altered. Dominique's character is such a pawn it's hard to take it all seriously.

I gave this 4 stars not as much because I enjoyed it, but because it got me thinking.

As for the story itself, the characters are completely bland and Roark has NO personality; in this sense attempt to personify the reality of her philosophy completely failed. All of the characters had little justification for their actions besides being the glorified image of ALTRUIST, or INDIVIDUALIST, etc etc.

That being said, as mentioned I did enjoy being introduced to new/different perspectives in reading The Fountainhead, and I see it less as a story and more as an interpretation of a specific belief. As I explained to someone when I first read this book/learned more about Ayn Rand, her ideas are at times unrealistic and ridiculous (such as rejecting altruism completely), but that doesn't mean that it should be disregarded completely. Standing up for your beliefs, working by your own standards, not giving any thought to how other people perceive you..etc- these are the ideas that were elaborated well in The Fountainhead and had some influence on my life.

I read this book after seeing the moving during my freshman or sophomore year in college.
I found the characters even more two dimensional in the book than in the movie.
I learned that I really dislike Ayn Rand. I found none of her characters engaging or well characterized. They are simply symbols she is pushing around on the page to promote her political ideals.

Instantly easily one of my 5 favorite books of all time. I liked it even more than Atlas Shrugged, since I found it more relatable.

This is one of those books so powerful that it changed something very deep within me, and caused me to begin to see the world differently. Mostly due to the triangle between Roark, Toohey, and Keating. One can see these 3 archetypes in any person in different proportions. It begs me to make many ethical judgements: which of these characters do/should I aspire to be? Is there anything unethical about these characters' actions?

Yes it is pretty long, but it was a good length for the point that it tries to get across. And the story is compelling enough that it doesn't drag on or go into irrelevant details like lots of fiction writing does. That is because this book is an amazing example of “show don't tell”. Mrs. Rand uses the book as a tool to convince you about her philosophy. Not in a subversive subliminal way; she is quite open about it. But she never references the principles of her philosophy within the book. It is a book of political philosophy even though for some reason many modern academics don't believe it belongs in the canon of such works. Instead of being a collection of dense one-liners that take forever to digest like many philosophy books, it is a story full of life, relationships, and career.