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Summary: This book changed my life
Review: I am a cynical guy, who thinks most role models are overblown, but Howard Roark, the main character in the Fountainhead, is someone who feels real to me and is the person I aspire to be like in my day-to-day life.
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Summary: A piece of dull writing that has aged poorly.
Review: As someone that enjoyed the movie long before I read the book, I am now deeply disappointed. I read the Fountainhead after trying to read her philosophical book on Objectivism. Finding that text much too dry in style and content, I thought a novel would be a better first Ayn Rand book. The Fountainhead is extremely dull and boring at points with only brief stretches of interesting writing or thought. Developing and presenting her ideas should be done in far fewer pages. Fewer pages would make the lack of character development, lack of rationality and lack of realism of thought much less noticeable. In summary, a high school level philosophy with equally unrealistic love stories.
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Summary: Intensity, Integrity, Insight - this book has it all
Review: In this book, Ayn Rand takes us into the life, love, thoughts and feelings of Howard Roark. I read the book 10 years ago and still mark it as one of the best books I have ever read. Without subscribing to Rand's philosophy, I admire the book purely for its intensity and depth of feeling. The characters remain entrenched in your thoughts. They may not shape your beliefs, but they set you thinking on profound topics such as triumph of individualism, integrity, deep abiding love, and passion for your work. The book meanders into murky waters when dealing with the love-hate relationship between Howard and Dominique, but always steers back to clear waters in time to take you on the ride of your life. I would recommend this book for the discerning reader, it sets you thinking. And Rand's philosophy is true in that constant thought transfers into ideas, which precedes greatness.
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Summary: No wonder Ayn Rand is embraced by the far right.
Review: The worst thing about Ayn Rand is not that she contrives a defense of selfishness, but that she did such a wretched job of it. It's no wonder, then, that said "philosophy" been appropriated by every apologist for Profits Before People And Planet. As far as her "fiction" goes, it's exactly that -- the woman is neither a serious thinker nor a sufferable writer, so before you break your arm patting yourselves on the back over this book, live a little, and stop kidding yourselves, okay?
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Summary: don't let the length fool you!
Review: if the length of this book turns you off you vould be missing out on one of the greatest pieces of literature! Rand superbly illustrates the struggle between conformity and individuality in this novel. Roark can be seen as a true idol for not selling out on his beliefs and epitomizing a true leader.
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Summary: short and sweet
Review: If you liked the celestine prophesy, you'll like this.... take that as you will and refer back to number of stars. same dogma thinly veiled by "plot" and "characterization."
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Summary: Inspirational Story of an Architect
Review: The Fountainhead is an uplifting and inspirational work that tells the story of Howard Roark, a brilliantly original architect who pursues his dream of creating beautiful and useful buildings. Roark's integrity and rationality are pitted against the establishment's efforts to prevent him from succeeding. Along the way he encounters high and low society, explosions, victories and love. I found the novel gripping, and the first time I read it I could scarcely put it down to enjoy my vacation. In addition to the excellent plot, the philosophical ideas were provocative, inspiring and clearly laid out. Ayn Rand's works often elicit strong opinions from their readers. Nevertheless, people posting reviews here are a self-selecting group and probably hold abnormally passionate opinions, whether pro or con. I suspect that the silent majority of The Fountainhead's readers found much food for thought in its pages, gained a new perspective on themselves and others, and also enjoyed the read. Check it out for yourself and evaluate it on its merits. That's what Howard Roark would likely suggest! I would especially recommend this book to entrepreneurs and readers who value meritocracies, achievement or individual freedom.
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Summary: For Impressionable Young Minds Filled With Mush
Review: The average reader of The Fountainhead is a young male (usually Jewish or Christian) no older than 21, who suddenly finds all of the answers to life in this book. Filled with newfound wisdom and insight, he starts to read anything Ayn Rand has written, criticizes philosophers like Kant without ever having read them, sneers at the poor and disadvantaged, begins to parrot Ayn Rand's speech and writing style, winds up voting Republican or Libertarian, and becomes very annoying to have around. Rand is usually the first introduction many kids have to literature/philosophy/economics/politics. Thankfully, most outgrow her by the time they have lived life a little. I know. I was one of the kids who got lost in the Ayn Rand cult. Enjoy this hypnotic book at your own risk.
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Summary: An Indispensable Part Of Anyone's Intellectual Luggage
Review: Don't wait to read Ayn Rand. Ayn Rand is one of the most influential thinkers this century. Rand is an evocative writer and always inspires passionate discussion whenever she is mentioned among readers. Her language is so taut and precise that it evokes powerful emotional responses. You may hate Rand in the end or you may worship her. You will definitely be an improved thinker after Rand. She's an imperfect novelist and a flawed philosopher, but she is in a literal sense the greatest published writer of English of anyone in the post-war English-speaking world - and her native language was Russian! I recommend reading Anthem first, then the Fountainhead the We The Living. Atlas Shrugged is good but if your time is limited read either of two fascinating biographies of Rand instead. The biographies are authored by Barbara and Nathaniel Branden, Rand intimates.
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Summary: it needs to be burnt, a guy with a dollar can read it.
Review: Rarely does man get an oppurtunity to see how the world matches upto him. The scope, content, and extent of THE FOUNTAINHEAD does not limit itself to the debate that it raises about Individualism - Collectivism. It goes much beyond that in making one realize to himself how easily people mistake the work of creativity of one individual genius as public wealth. I am a person who has experienced firsthand in words what the book has in ideas.
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