The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Leonard Peikoff Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Fountainhead
Book Review: A Challenge to Modern Thinking
Summary: 5 Stars
The Fountainhead is at once a profound, daring novel, and a thrilling, plot-driven page-turner.Ayn Rand was an original writer. It's because of this that if you don't find yourself disagreeing with the content of Ayn Rand's writing, you'll almost certainly disagree with her methods. If you love most modern fiction, you may dismiss Rand as a hack, or as didactic. In fact, she's neither, but comparing her to modern fiction makes her seem that way, because she wrote stories which she meant to be understood by the reader. She never muddied her waters to make them appear deep. Most people today, though, seeking depth, look for mud. Ayn Rand doesn't give it to them so they call her shallow.
Ayn Rand dares to present, in dramatic form, her theory of human nature, and of the essential issues which ultimately determine our success and happiness in life. This is just not done in modern fiction. Modern fiction is generally more modest in scope than most things Ayn Rand ever wrote.
Ayn Rand presents characters which embody important essential principles of human character (the intransigent individualist, the self-tortured worshipper, the intellectual power-luster, the material power-luster, the obsequious social climber). In other words, extraordinary characters. This, also, is just not done in modern fiction. Modern fiction avoids presenting characters which are too unfamiliar to the average reader. Instead, it presents characters which don't highlight any essential principles -- average people. It tells a story you can be comfortable with, rather than really contemplate.
Ayn Rand's self-confidence as a writer is bracing. It may scare you. It's certainly scared plenty of people enough to tell all their friends to avoid Ayn Rand like the plague. Are you curious about what they're trying to hide you from?
Accept the challenge of The Fountainhead. Then form your own opinion of it.
Book Review: A Criticism of Criticism
Summary: 5 Stars
One reviewer, from "Virginia USA", seemed to sum up his screeching dislike for the book with the following comments which I've dissected and responded to. "Poorly Written, Obvious Plot This is a typical Ayn Rand novel. If you are part of the school of Objectivism, take a second to read back through this book. I find it ironic that the woman who started an 'intellectual' movement can write in such an obvious (and poor) manner. With no subtlety in style and little suprises to the plot, this novel truly reflects the shallow depths of American intellectualism. I'm baffled at it's long standing popularity."
Poorly written and unimaginatively plotted. Really? The concept of a bold architect, Roark, pursuing his career with integrity despite the incredible public loathing of his work which is driven by the actions of the woman he loves, Dominique, and his best friend, Gail, is not imaginative, original, and creative? Perhaps I have forgotten about the vast canon of literature celebrating the accomplishments of architects who choose a life of integrity, overcome hardship, and risk disdain, prison, and even life itself to achieve their goals.
Regarding the claim the book had no sublety, I must simply admit that perhaps the author of that review had a greater mind than mine. In fact, he must have a greater mind than almost all of Rand's readers. After all, we dolts who read her novels again and again are always finding new and insidiously well-hidden hints as to the characters' nature, personality, or motive.
As far as the claim the the novel reflects the utter shallowness of American intellectualism, I must agree. Unlike the novels of Sartre or Camus (the critic's more refined, Continental, sophisticated preference, apparently), Rand's novels are not so deep that their bottoms are hidden from sight. Sadly, there are no angst-filled miscreants, men who turn into cockroaches, or anti-heroes. Only plain, honest, shallow, men and women with their petty, uncool values of integrity, career, passion, and pride.
In the final analysis, it's probably a good idea to read these novels with a grain of honesty, not salt. If you disagree her ideas, fine. But do not attempt to slander Rand's writing skills unless you are prepared to do so with original criticisms that arise from an actual reading of the book in question.
Book Review: A Dangerous Book
Summary: 1 Stars
You can probably refer to the other 755 Amazon reviews to get a sense of this book. I will explain quickly, however, why it's a pernicious force, based on my own experience. The Fountainhead takes a very powerful hold on a lot of young people who read it just before or just after arriving at college. At a time when these young people are going through a lot of upheaval in their lives, and often feeling very alone, this gives them a false sense of security; rather than going through the hard work of making friends and generally being an adult, this book feeds notions that we don't need other people. That's not a healthy outlook for an 18 year-old striking out in the world.Life is complex and none of us make it alone. It's true that we need a strong sense of self, but Rand takes it to a sociopathic extreme. Luckily, I had a respected college comp professor who told me that "this is a dangerous book for a young guy," and who suggested that I rethink what a world of complete individualism would look like. I'm the better for having known him, not Ms. Rand.
I hope that those of you who see value in human interaction and feeling, and reject Rand's almost incredible view that any of us can be truly independant, will avoid giving this book as a gift, reading it, or recommending it to anyone. If you want to give a good gift, choose something that will challenge your loved ones to be more thoughtful, caring individuals, not something that will turn them inward and give them a god complex.
PS - This is not philosophy. Rand wasn't that smart, or if she was, it's not demonstrated in this book.
Book Review: A Good Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I started the book a few years ago and put it down because Ayn has a way of being what the editor calls overly descriptive. However, I picked the book back up. Beyond the description, what I found was a pretty good work of literature that entailed many things, a few of which that interested me was the battle between the free-thinker and the thinker that is easily molded by the opinions of others, the difference between a conformist and non-conformist. Although I don't agree with some of the pros, I believe Ayn gives her readers something to think about, especially those that have never been exposed to the idea of architecture (the book focuses on architecture). And without Howard Roark, one of the central characters in the book, the story would have never gained its popularity. Ayn Rand also has a seasoned sense of humor. If you would like to learn more about architecture, read the book. If you would like to get away from fast-moving thriller plots and move over to the literary world, read the book.Book Review: A Great Book -- But Not Perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
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.