This is one of the more famous books written by Ayn Rand- way back in 1943. The book evolves around the lives of four very different men namely,
Peter Keating:
A perfect example of a person willing to sacrifice it all to be famous and successful, but at the same time is also willing to lose his own identity in order to be that which the world approves off. Early in his life he gives up his passion for painting and choses a more lucrative line of work as an architect since his mother feels that being a painter is no kind of occupation for her son. The same story is repeated throughout his life, where he needs someone elses aproval in order to ’feel good’ about what he is doing.
Gail Wynand
A great publisher who owns several newspapers along with several other successful businesses. A man who has built himself up from nothing into one of the most powerful men is the country. All he seeks is to be powerful. His way of getting pleasure in life is to try and ruin any man who tries to stand in his way. A man of few morals who lives his life and newspaper for the people and by the people, a man of the mob.
Ellsworth Monkton Toohey
If this book can be said to have a villian, then this man is it. A critic with the ability to shape mens thoughts, realises early in life that he possesses the capability to understand people and can use this in order to subtly use them for achieving his means. He believes in the philosophy of unity as opposed to individualism. He systematically tries to destroy every person who stands out in his/ her field and his way of doing this is not to call the person extremely bad at his profession, but to call someone who is bad extremely good and in this way to change public opinion in such a way that they can no longer tell what is good and what is bad. His aim in life is to rule the world by using the power of the masses.
Howard Roark
A genius as far as architecture goes. A man among men who actually loves his work, deeply and intensely, he believes that his work is his and only his and will let no man influence his work. He builds for himself and if his clients want him they had better accept what he gives them unconditionally. He is a man of integrity who never gives up in life no matter how much hardship he is put through. The kind of man that many of us aspire to be but very few achieve in life.
The entire book is about the struggle of this one man against the rest of the world and how in the end he wins against all odds.
There are several other characters in this book deserving mention, Dominique being the principal one among them, the woman that Howard Roark loves.
This book is Six hundred and ninety two pages long and every page contains some sort of philosophy about life and reveals the inner most thoughts of people. For those who enjoy contemplating about the human spirit, this book is definitely worth a read.