The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Leonard Peikoff Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Fountainhead
Book Review: A Great Work of Literature
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Fountainhead" is a great rarity; a well-written and successful philosophical novel. Though Ayn Rand becomes occasionally too didactic, I realize that she was concerned that some readers would be unable to see the points she was making. I did find this novel humorous at points, as Rand placed Howard Roarke, her protagonist, in contrast to his environment so that Roarke appeared to be in control of his environment. Those who understand this novel will find humor in many places. I am unsure of how much of the humor was intentional and how much was unintentional.
There are several principal characters in this 700+ page book. Howard Roarke is an architect. Roarke believes in himself and is a creator. Rand uses Roarke as her example of the "perfect" man. Rand contrasts Roarke primarily with Peter Keaton. Keaton is an adapter of technology. He "borrows" his architectural concepts from historic styles rather than focusing on the practical and having form follow function. Keaton panders to popular styles. Roarke designs plans that are functional and fit within their environment. The beauty of Roarke's designs is in their functionality and how each design fits its environment. Unfortunately, repetitive design is valued, and creativity is not.
There are several other significant characters in this book. Ellsworth Toohey is a newspaper columnist. Toohey exemplifies mediocrity. Toohey is manipulative and power hungry, but is so subtle in his machinations that few people recognize Toohey for what he is. I was fascinated that Toohey seemed to want a worthy opponent and lamented that his opponents were unable to see what Toohey was doing. Toohey's comments and actions imply that Toohey seeks socialism or communism, but he wants to be the absolute dictator. Toohey seems to have all the worst characteristics of communism and fascism.
Gail Wynand is the owner of a chain of newspapers. Wynand is a self made man. Wynand is quite similar to Roarke in many ways, though it takes us a long time to discover the similarities. Both men eventually come to admire each other.
Dominique Francon is very important to the novel. She appears cold-hearted, though she is not. She becomes a connection between Keating, Wynand and Roarke. However, Dominique realizes that she will likely destroy nearly everyone she contacts. Rand uses Dominique as a tool for continuity throughout the novel and to aid in contrasting the characteristics of the three men in Dominique's life.
What is "The Fountainhead" about? It is about one man pursuing his quest for what he believes to be right, regardless of what most of the world thinks. Rand hypothesizes that if that man is correct, and has an objective ideal as his goal, that eventually the rest of the world will recognize the validity of that man's (or woman's) viewpoint and follow along. "The Fountainhead" is against the average, against mediocrity, against collectivism, against rule by committee, and against the manipulation of people by those whose only purpose is to seek power over other men. "The Fountainhead" is for individualism, for creativity, for following your own path and for objective truth.
Ayn Rand tried to keep her explanations relatively simple. She characterized people as those who lived through others and those who lived for themselves. However, I think there could be a third category, which Rand likely classified as the second category. As we know, not every person is highly creative. But, an average person may well recognize the creativity of a person such as Roarke, and admiring such creativity, does what they can to bring that creativity to realization. I would call this third category a person who facilitates the creator.
The first time I read "The Fountainhead," I considered the book profound. I looked at the world, and myself, in a different perspective. This book is easy to read, but it is not light reading. The book requires a lot of thought, and you may find that you disagree with Rand or you may be disappointed. If you are a potential Howard Roarke, it is unlikely that you will read this book at all. For the rest of us, "The Fountainhead" is a great work of fiction that embodies what many of us like to believe is the basis of the United States. While there may be a little cowboy in us, there is a lot of pioneer spirit, which was founded on a strong sense of individualism. We can only hope that these ideals remain with us in the future.
I hope you find this book as incredible as I did. Enjoy!
Book Review: A Gripping Book That Doesn't Convince
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll give this book one thing, it is very gripping. I can barely put it down, but not because I agree with it. Rand has characters use terribly written arguments for socialism, society and religion in order to mock them. Instead, we should all behave without sympathy, emotion, compassion, altruism, feeling or religion. Reason will be our absolute, and everyone will be an absolute individualist. "Egoism is the fountainhead of human progress." she says. We all know nothing good ever came from cooperation. It's a good book, but I don't agree with it.Book Review: A MASTERPIECE!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read The Fountainhead several times, not surprisingly, everytime I understand it differently. The language is just fantastic and if one enjoys prose, I strongly recommend it. I mention this in part to respond to some of the rather less experienced reviewers who strangely found the book too long. The philosophy of Objectivism by no means a new concept, is portrayed in a great novel. A treat!Book Review: A MUST READ FOR ANY TRUE FAN OF FINE LITERATURE
Summary: 5 Stars
I must admit that even though I was an English major, I did not read this book until just recently. I was surprisingly pleased with the ideas and characters that Ayn Rand expounds upon in "The Fountainhead." This novel takes quite a while to get through, but it is well worth the effort. Be sure to set aside the time not only to read it, but to think about the material!Book Review: A Magnificent Story Of A Magnificent Man
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the story of the struggle of an individual against the collective mindset that demands that all things be done for the good of society rather than the rewards and pleasure that the individual enjoys based on the merits of his own work. The main character, Howard Roark, fights an unending battle for the freedom to live and work according to the dictates of his own conscience and integrity. As the plot unfolds, questions are asked that beg an answer from every thinking viewer. In American society today, we are regimented, "bell-curved", homogenized, and forced to fit the demands and whims of those who consistently tell us "egoism is bad", "selflessness is the only way to live", etc.
It is refreshing to see this film's character state so eloquently that he "lives life for his own sake" and that the existence of his ideas are the sole domain of his own mind and not the property of others to take as their own in the name of "society's good."
You can't come away from this film not changed in one way or another. Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal play their parts to perfection. This is a classic in every sense of the word. Don't take my word for it though, get it for yourself and enjoy some true "food for thought."