The Fountainhead

Rating:
Summary: Makes you want to go to the real America!
Review: Its such a positive book I thoroughly recommend it. The characterisations are brilliant, no muddled mixed grey areas, Rand unashamedly creates extremes to illustrate the book. It made me want to go to America in the 1920's and be an architect! The fresh, forward looking joy of life is genuinely uplifting.

The lead character, Howard Roark, with his abrupt, polite conversation with the various people who attempt to sway him provides amusing, cutting but innocent one liners you'll want to use. His independence, demanding nothing from others, was so refreshing. I particularly love the part when Keating rushes up to Roark and demands to know what he really thinks of him. "I never think of you" Replies Roark, with un-contrived honesty. A more enjoyable read, in many ways, than the broader "Atlas Shrugged" which I would recommend as follow on to this book, after a couple of months rest!

And you'll never meet a more vile man than Ellsworth Tooh! ey, nor a more broken man than Gail Wynand. To detract from the book, saying its nazi-ism or social darwinism is ridiculous, I can see no connection! There is scene of the greatest benevolence involving Roark in the book. The infamous 'rape' scene, that many find objectionable, comes over as a private fantasy of Ayn Rand. Its hardly a shocker, it seems nothing like real accounts of rape. Don't let that cloud you.

The story is rather 'black and white', but I feel that's deliberate. It is a fictional story, Rand was a novelist first, then a philosopher. It may be currently a favourite with younger people, but its a book that gets richer as you get wiser. I think suggestions that the book is naive are a non-criticism by people who cannot consider a constructive criticism, its the "I'm, older and wiser therefore you wont understand, but I'm right" argument. Incidentally, I'm not that young!. Rand did not write it with a specific demographic audience in m! ind!

My advice? Go for it, but only if you're going to ! read it closely and thoroughly, you may as well get as much from the novel as possible.

Rating:
Summary: About as Brilliant as Black Chalk
Review: The ultimate kindergarden philosophy posing as something worthwhile. Nothing is as shallow as the written dialogue between Roarke and anyone he speaks to. Plus Ms. Rand is expecting us to idolize a rapist. What a bunch of hooey. Read anything else and you'll be smarter.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book -- But Not Perfect
Review: I think the Fountainhead is inspiring and capable of actually changing one's entire attitude towards life. However, it can also be a bit damaging in that it makes unrealistic demands of its "converts." One thing that really bothers me: Ayn Rand seems to believe that repressing all emotion, even the deepest pain, is "heroic" while allowing emotion to show is a sign of "weakness." Howard Roark seems to be completely untouched, emotionally, by the setbacks and attacks he suffers. To me, this seems inhuman, but the message in the book is clear: He's superior to those of us who spinelessly exhibit emotion. In fact, in Atlas Shrugged, one of the good guys is actually physically tortured and barely exhibits discomfort! Does this mean that to be a true "hero" of your life you - almost literally - must not feel pain?

I still think this is one of the greatest books ever and it influenced me deeply in a lot of positive ways. However, be alert for the flaws. Ayn Rand and her philosophy were not quite perfect. I spent a few years after the first time I read her works believing that if I got "too emotional" over a situation, or preferred a folk song to a symphony, that I had serious character defects.

Still and all, I'm glad after all these years people are still reading and being inspired by her works.

Rating:
Summary: Fountainhead
Review: I stayed up late nights to read this book. I turned page after page. There is something Ayn Rand has seen through, something she articulates so roundly, that it relieves a burden I hadn't even realized I'd been carrying. I can put my burden down as I read -- she has seen me. I no longer have to scream at the top of my lungs. I love to read her books.

And there are many, many aspects of human nature which she sees very deeply. Not everyone could have written that rape scene, for example, and gotten it right. She is one of the 20th Century's great authors...... despite the fact that you can mail in a card enclosed in the book and join some save-the-world organization dedicated to her work. I really think they should take out the cards. They only make the right people ignore her and the wrong people read her for the wrong reasons.

And yet the cards reflect the vestiges of an ideologue which still lives in her. She's a Russian turned Jeffersonian. But I still feel the European ideology thing going on. Most Russian immigrants to the US take up capitalism and its freedom of speech in their own way. But I've seen precious few of them who so genuinely understand and embrace the Jefferson in America - and I've known a lot of Russian immigrants. I was married to one. (For that matter, I've met few Americans who get it consciously, but that's another matter.)

The ideologue in Ayn Rand shows up, for example, in her categorical condemation of anything suggesting 'spirituality' or 'God' or whatever. I even ran across an erratum somewhere where she apologizes for using the word 'spiritual' in a fit of passion... of course there's no spiritual, she explains. Of course not. No, no, no, no. But her passions spoke true, and her mind couldn't follow them. For she is essentially spiritual and just in denial about it. It's that she can't rationally fit it in with all the stuff that she does see so clearly with 'spirit' and 'God'. And the reason she can't do that is that she can't think of religion as a private matter between a person and God. Religion for her belongs to a state and a society.

So she puts her head before her heart a little sometimes, and the result is that she lacks the lyrical powers of Emerson, Goethe or Shakespeare. But I'm so happy she lived and worked.

Rating:
Summary: If I had to pick
Review: If I had to pick only three books, they would be these: Steinbeck's "East of Eden," McCrae's "The Bark of the Dogwood," and this one, "The Fountainhead." All three had, and continue to have, a powerful impact on my life. These are not just great books, but novels of "ideas." By far, the most important of these is Rand's book. It was quite a big deal when it first appeared on the scene many decades ago, and still is for those who read it. Pity that after all these years of exposure to it, things haven't changed that much. There are still the sun-slappers and the self-soilers out there who refuse to see humanity for the wonderful thing that it CAN be. If you're looking for food for thought, this is your book.

Rating:
Summary: I don't have much to say
Review: If you are interested at all in art, creativity, individualism, the masses vs. the individual, etc., you should read this book. You would find it very intriguing. Ignore what other people have said regarding Rand's philosophy...just read the book and make your own decision. I thought it was quite interesting (and also very satisfyingly fast-paced), but now that you've read my review, you should read the book yourself. That's it, really.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling, Inspiring masterpiece - flawed philosophy
Review: The best value "The Fountainhead" offers is ENORMOUS courage in a man's struggle to achieve his values. There is hardly any other novel which so forcefully projects the beauty & glory of 2 great values: integrity, & independence.
"Fountainhead..." is a greater, more impacting novel than "Atlas...", though it does not share the epic & visionary elements, & the breath-taking scope of the latter.
The plus-point is characterization, more realistic situations, & more tenable ideas.
Though one may disagree with Rand's ideas regarding selfishness & selflessness - on her terms, from her specific, individual perspective - she is right.
For example, while people like Toohey DO exist - while people do exist, who try to destroy man's sense of self, his sense of his own magnificence, of self-reverence & thus kill his spirit, so that they can rule the mindless & spiritless - while such monsters have existed, & still do - I certainly don't accept Rand's idea that "altruism" or "humanitarianism" or "selflessness" have, by definition, or in history, anything to do with such men.
To kill people in the name of Yahweh, or Christ, or Allah, or "justice" or "love of mankind" certainly does not condemn the Bible or Koran, or have anything to do with justice & love.
What is more, Rand betrays her own philosophy of life in this novel. Those aspects of her vision that are truly sublime & exalting, which have an effect of expanding one's consciousness - which thrill a person with a sense of uplift - those very aspects which are NOT LOGICALLY a part of her philosophy of Objectivism - those very aspects make "Fountainhead..." an unparalled emotional-spiritual tour-de-force.
To read "The Fountainhead" is to be born again - to become something more than what one already is - to find something beautiful within.
It compels a man to a point where he yearns to realize within himself a certain grandeur, & make himself worthy of his own wonderment & joyous contemplation.

Characterization is Fountainhead's best aspect, - unlike the more consciously abstract, philosophical representations of "Atlas...", Henry Cameron, Dominique, Wyanand, Roark's friends etc. come across as POSSIBLE characters - through which Ayn Rand beautifully projects values, conflicts & errors in thinking which all of us share - sometime or the other - in life (often, throughout our lives).
The shattering of a half-known, half-realized dream; the torturous struggle of the mangled soul to retain its dignity & integrity; the sense of bewilderment & defeat when a pure soul confronts an apparently malevolent universe; the weakness of the fundamentally noble that cracks under strain...all these make Fountainhead's characters so full of life, vividness, poignancy & emotional power, that I'd readily uphold it as one of the most powerful novels I've ever read.
Though "Atlas..." too has forceful, passionate & inspiring, characters, they are more deliberate & unconvincing - they are more squeezed into carefully defined molds meant to convey a psychologically destructive & untenable philosophy.
On the other hand, the men & women who people "Fountainhead..." are more CONVINCING - they do not come across as contrived abstractions in a novel - they seem to be of flesh & blood.
And Rand has achieved this though they too are conceived as "philosophical abstractions".
They are essentialized, & yet startlingly REAL.
Here, as a writer who integrated philosophy & psychology in characterization, surpassingly, Rand stands as an equal of another awesome giant - Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Roark is, however, quite unconvincing - a little too artificial - but he is nevertheless GREAT.
Unfortunately, while I may view him as a good fictional, ideal hero (albeit somewhat dull & stiff) - I CANNOT accept him as an example to be achieved in "real life" - for, psychologically, I don't think such a man can be possible.
He is too colorless - too indifferent to the world around him - too self-absorbed to be true & credible - as if he cannot identify with anything in the universe beyond himself, & does not care to.
To see the ALL beyond oneself, as an integral part of one's identity is NOT to lose one's self, or self-sufficiency or self-reliance.
Though myself a complete recluse, I'll say that, to connect to people, to be a part of the tears & joys, the chaos & turbulence of the life that teems around us, is NOT to lose one's individuality, independence & integrity.
THIS, Roark lacks seriously.
But, his indestructible self-respect, integrity & sense of independence, - his serenity & immeasurable moral strength - make him immortal - unforgettable - worthy of a salute from the best in us.

In conclusion, Fountainhead is a MUST READ. The poetry & passion of the novel swept me away. Rand's sense of hero-worship is ecstatic, religious.
Unfortunately, Rand makes a mess of philosophy - she simply isn't profound enough, or true, or interesting, when it comes to philosophizing.
I'd caution the reader not to accept every definition or idea of Rand, but grasp the broader abstraction, which is often true.
Don't equate Toohey with "altruism" or something like that - but grasp that Toohey IS HATEFUL, with all his altruistic masquerading.
Rand seems to be unconsciously biased, & hasty, when it comes to a philosophic appraisal of history, or the world as such - and this makes extraction of the truly valuable from the erroneous in Fountainhead quite difficult.
But rare are those titans who have equalled her in her projection of overwhelming pain & overwhelming joy - in her celebration of genius, of the grandeur of the human spirit, & of the ultimate benevolence of the universe.


Rating:
Summary: The Ego is Not Your Friend
Review: Bismillahir Rahman ir Rahim

Rand's books appeal to the loneliness and hurt that hide in the hearts of people, especially youth. She speaks to our fears of powerlessness and vulnerability, but the remedies she offers are poisions that only exacerbate our problems. It is the opposite of a spiritual path, which teaches respect, compassion and humility. People want to be loved and we want our love to be accepted and valued, and this sort of book gives the illusion of security through a defensive position that promises to keep us safe from pain if we'll agree to say "I don't need you and I don't need anybody!" but the fact is that the opposite is true and such an attitude, if believed sincerely, actually prevents us from taking the steps we need toward healing and hapiness. Our deepest longing is to be together, interconnected, enjoying the spiritual contact that pierces our isolation and releases us from the prison of our ego. Rand says in this book that "man's ego is the fountainhead of human progress" but one could legitimately ask, progress toward what? Suicide? This book is full of clever tricks and traps and it may be better to never have come in contact with it -- but those of us who do, must learn in the end that we are surrounded by a network of love and support. We are not alone. *** Recommended instead of The Fountainhead: *The Book of Secrets* by Osho.

Rating:
Summary: Read Atlas Shrugged instead
Review: I read this book after completing Atlas Shrugged. I started the Fountainhead keeping in mind that since it was written earlier in Ayn Rand's career than Atlas that it probably was going to be less refined, and perhaps less articulate in its philosophies. I was correct. Atlas Shrugged in my opinion is brilliant, and it has assumed a position on the top of my favorite books list. However, Fountainhead i felt was rather boring in comparison, and far less powerful. None of the characters possessed any real charisma that made characters in Atlas Shrugged such as Francisco D'anconia and Hank Rearden so memorable. Fountainhead also lacks any truly poignant scenes, resulting in a mesh of seemingly meaningless events making up the story. Roark's speech at the end in the court case is the only moment that is comparable to the radiant brilliance of Atlas Shrugged, and for the most part is the only piece worth re-reading in the book.

Rating:
Summary: Fast paced, tight and thought-provoking
Review: Whether you agree with the ideas Rand presents or think she is one with the devil, "The Fountainhead" is a powerful and moving book that I highly recommend. Although it is long, it is very tightly written. There are no unnecessary scenes, no irrelevant characters and no ad nauseum descriptions of sunsets and waterfalls.

There are several reasons I love this book, none having to do with the controversial philosophies of the author. The first is the amazing characterization. There were several people in the book that could have been drawn directly from people in my life: the social worker who works more out of self-righteousness than pure altruism, the over-blown academic who can read meaning and symbolism in trip, the professional who cares more about where his work takes him than the quality of the work itself. Rand doesn't draw these as flat characters. Instead we actually see their flaws and motivations in all there beauty and terror.

I also love the idealism of Roark. Several previous reviews have termed him "egotistical" with a "superiority complex", but that isn't how I see him at all. Would a professional who meets those descriptions lower himself to working as a common laborer at a quarry? Roark doesn't care if his work is good or not, let along that it is superior. All that matters is that it pleases him. He might work a menial job, but he wouldn't debase himself to produce anything but the kind of art that pleases him, whatever anyone else says about its quality.

The insight of the book into the power of the press and the country's growing socialization is another drawing point. I crack up whenever I read the Banner's editorial on parenthood in modern times. It describes how parents need to be just as loving toward and concerned about other children as they are of their own. It reads remarkably like Hillary Clinton's "It Takes a Village". In an age where talentless performers are at the top of the chart because of the right buzz, I can understand the idea that he who controls the media, controls the tastes of the masses.

A common criticism of "The Fountainhead" is the rape of Dominique by the hero. Like so much of the book, it is not something that can be understood if you only view it in a vacuum. Roark and Dominique have an almost transcendental bond. Throughout the book they start in the middle of conversations and understand each other as if they were one. Their violent first sexual encounter is not indicative of Roark's character or of their relationship.

There are some simplistic parts of the book: all capitalists are good, all socialists are bad, wanting to help people and do good is described as an excuse, not a noble motive. Still, there are so much good in this beautiful book that I consider it one that everyone should read.