Posted 7 Apr 2005 · Report post Book suggested for rating by Free Capitalist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 7 Apr 2005 · Report post The Fountainhead was the first Ayn Rand book I read. It remains my favorite.Warning: There are spoilers about this book in this post.It spoke so eloquently, consistently, brilliantly, accurately to so many things:How I felt & how I thought life should be (Roark), how/why most of the people I had encountered seemed so dull & pointless, stumbling through the mistake they miscalled their life (Keating), how/why so many successful people I met or read about seemed so unprincipled/dishonest (Wynand), & how/why all the irrational things people believe get dreamt up & spread (Toohey).I remember being quite taken with Dominique, but at the same time bewildered by her actions. The older I get, the more I understand how well her character is put together. I used to think she was a brilliant, necessary part of the novel, but she was perhaps too extreme in her renunciation to seem "fully real" compared to Roark, Wynand, Keating & Toohey. Over the last 20 years I have watched my earlier assessment gradually change into a fuller understanding of how much she (& her extreme character aspects) is the "direct connection" between all the men. We get to see the soul of each of them in their interaction with her & how she reacts to them. Amazing.Howard Roark was my hero as soon as he explained to the Dean why the Parthenon was rotten. He remains my favorite fictional hero to this day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 7 Apr 2005 · Report post Howard Roark was my hero as soon as he explained to the Dean why the Parthenon was rotten. He remains my favorite fictional hero to this day.←I have often said to people as a plug for The Fountainhead that I think it's impossible for anyone, male or female, to read this book without falling in love with Howard Roark to some degree. He truly is everything a man might be and ought to be - just as Miss Rand intended. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 7 Apr 2005 · Report post The Fountainhead was the first Ayn Rand book I read. It remains my favorite.Warning: There are spoilers about this book in this post.I remember being quite taken with Dominique, but at the same time bewildered by her actions. The older I get, the more I understand how well her character is put together. I used to think she was a brilliant, necessary part of the novel, but she was perhaps too extreme in her renunciation to seem "fully real" compared to Roark, Wynand, Keating & Toohey. Over the last 20 years I have watched my earlier assessment gradually change into a fuller understanding of how much she (& her extreme character aspects) is the "direct connection" between all the men. We get to see the soul of each of them in their interaction with her & how she reacts to them. Amazing.← That's why I love her. I'd call her the Dynamic Dominique (If she was a super hero )I read this third. I loved it so much, but I really can't say for sure if is is more a favorite than Atlas or We The Living. I'm still so smitten by all of them . I'm re-reading Atlas right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 8 Apr 2005 · Report post He remains my favorite fictional hero to this day.←Not only do I second this, I raise it to a power of 2 . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 8 Apr 2005 · Report post There are spoilers about this book in this post. "Then there was only the ocean and the sky and the figure of Howard Roark." I love this last sentence because it demonstrates that Ayn Rand's Philosophy works. If you never compromise, never sell-out, never give in, you too can reach the apex. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 13 Apr 2005 · Report post Not only do I second this, I raise it to a power of 2 .← Right on! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted 13 Apr 2005 · Report post ...I think it's impossible for anyone, male or female, to read this book without falling in love with Howard Roark to some degree.←It sure was impossible for me! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
