Fountainhead

Rating:
Summary: Passionate objectivism
Review: An unquestionably eloquent writer/philosopher who believes she can champion "Objectivism and Reason" notwithstanding her "passionate convictions." By definition this combination is inherently oxymoronic.

I can't help but view Rand as a child who as bright as they may be, constantly proclaims that they can give you the answers to the universe while standing on one foot. The problem is that once you lose respect for an author, it is hard to do anything but notice their flaws.

I did find it interesting that in the Fountainhead, the emphasis on the morality of wealthy individuals is entirely removed, replaced by a starving artist's commitment to his work (Which he somehow believes as being an absolute truth??!!) Likely at this stage in her career, Rand wasn't rich enough to advocate the morality of money.

My stomach turned fewer times while reading this. I still find her notions on sexuality anything but ideological. Her lack of empathy and cooperation with other ideas is very infuriating and I can't understand how such a personality can claim to be objective? The trial at the end is hogwash where she tries to, and does, cloud the issue. I'd like to see a real judge let off Roark due to "artistic merits."

And finally: I love porticos and Grecian pillars!!!

Rating:
Summary: The Brilliance of Thought
Review: The first thing I must say about the Fountainhead is I found it utterly brilliant. That said, I must tell future readers that it is one of the densest books I have ever read. This is a good thing though, and anyone who likes to think should read this book (I hope those of you looking to buy this book can actually think for yourself). The secret to the success of the Fountainhead is that it shows Howard Roark not as perfect, but as ideal in not being perfect. He is ultimately stubborn, unemotional, but driven by the desire to create, the desire to achieve greatness for the sake of its own creation, not for the artificial enjoyment of others.

The Fountainhead is about the extremes of society. Everyone can picture a man like Ellsworth Toohey, but few have actually seen one. Howard Roark is a character that no one will comprehend, because his greatest strength is that he does not feel the need to make himself understandable. He is what he stands for, and that is all. Ayn Rand uses this book to champion the individual, to show that it is not the follower who achieves true success, but the creator who refuses to compromise his ideals. He expects nothing from anyone, but still works because his work is important to him. Ultimately, Ayn Rand is an extremist whose ideas are very controversial simply for that reason. She does not see the other side, and believes that her ideas are correct, and that the other side is ultimately wrong because of it. What you must understand with this book is that its extreme point of view leads to its power, but that you have to make sure and realize what it is that she is saying. It is something that no person can accomplish, and that is why Howard Roark is a model for mankind. No one can be Howard Roark, but we can encompass bits of his philosophy into ours.

This book will confuse you, torture you, but ultimately leave you feeling fulfilled and full of ideas. That is all you can ask from it.

Rating:
Summary: I am overawed by the brilliance of this book
Review: All I can say is that this book is unbelievable. I was unable to put it down, even though it is extremely dense. I don't know what else I can say, other than that you should give your mind a treat by exercising its synapses.

Rating:
Summary: starting point
Review: I enjoyed and related well to this novel.It's core is meant to shake up the existing conditions of a set society and bring about change. We can apply this more fictionalized world to our own, and Rand employs a lenghty technique to achieve just that. Ultimatley you have to decide for yourself whether you hate or love this novel(there is little margin to qualify),and that I believe is the sign of a great piece of work, either way it will evoke something in you, controversial or not.I recommend it to those who enjoy a little philosophy in their sex and politics.

Rating:
Summary: Great, although long, novel
Review: This is one of the best novels I think I have ever read because of the presentation of a gripping story with an intellectual and philosophical undertone.

... this is a wonderful book that strikes upon some of the most significant morals or belief systems in American and developed society - capitalism, altruism, cronyism, independent versus collective thought and action, and much more. It is a great read!

Rating:
Summary: everyone should read this book
Review: i don't even want to say why, but this book changed my life, and you shouldn't read people's reviews of it because anyone you know that recommends this book will let you figure it all out for yourself. not only is the book extremely well written but it applies to anyone anywhere and has taught even the people who wrote terrible reviews of it something about life.

Rating:
Summary: A Great American Novel
Review: It's easy to lose sight of why we read fiction. When you're young and full of hope-for whatever it is that you will want out of life-or if you're older but still hanging on to that youthful optimism some of us once had, The Fountainhead may be just the book for you. It's a little dated now; no one is that certain anymore-as was the author, and her main character, Howard Roark. But if we could, many of us would still like to be like him, or at least we would like to try.

This is a novel about Rand's ideal man, (and some other characters who are almost, but not quite, ideal, and some who are bad). She paints a portrait of what he must look like, and you the reader will see it very clearly. You may hate him, or love him, or simply "shrug." But you will get to know him; he will live for you. What you decide, Rand says, will be a judgment of you, and to this I agree. It will tell what kind of person you are. Rand's portrait of Roark is like Michelangelo's sculptures and painting. It's that good.

That doesn't mean that a rational adult has to agree with every word of this novel-or with Rand's Philosophy in toto. This book, like every great work of art, has to be judged as a whole. This is Rand's best. Even if you end up coming down against her philosophy in its main points, you can still love this book.

In a nutshell-it's about "the best within us."

Rating:
Summary: One long Harangue
Review: Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is verbose and preachy. It is obvious that this novel is her attempt to convert people to her philosophy. Essentially what you have are long speeches by main characters, which is merely her vehicle to push her systematic view of the world. I've never heard of her philosophy before but after 700+ pages of her beating me over my head with it I don't think I'll forget about objectivism.

I doubt that would I ever read another book by her, even though it was a relatively fast read.

Rating:
Summary: magnificence
Review: that someone could say this book doesnt evoke laughter or tears boggles my mind, and thats all i cant think to reply to at this moment. dominique and howard's relationship often drove me to tears and i feel there are a great number of moments in the book that are humerous. maybe my sense of humour is just strange, but i thought the book was all around wonderful and amazing

Rating:
Summary: Must Read!
Review: Read it! Read it! Read it!!!

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I first read The Fountainhead in 1979; I've had three copies, and re-read it more than a half-dozen times, since then.

If you're unfamiliar with Ayn (rhymes with 'nine') Rand, she can be difficult to follow as she writes in long, multi-paragraph dialogs.

If you want to try something a bit shorter, yet a good introduction to her writing style and personal philosophy, try something lighter like "Anthem." I feel her best book is "Atlas Shrugged."