About the Book:
This is one book that had me completely mesmerised. Fountainhead is about Ayn Rand’s ideas of good and evil. The hero epitomises the ideal man according to her. It supports the theory of objectivism and the amazing writing style makes selfishness seem like such a virtue.
What it covers:
The story is about one man’s (Howard Roark, architect) struggle to maintain the integrity of his work and self against a society that tries to destroy him and his accomplishments by subscribing to a collective mentality of so-called altruism and selflessness. Roark pays again and again for his unyielding honesty and refusal to compromise until he finds himself two allies who struggle with Roark until he is vindicated by his courage and truth. Peter Keating symbolises the typical spineless man who’ll go to any extent to achieve success. Ellsworth Toohey represents everything that is evil. Gail Wynand is the man who could have been a Howard Roark, but succumbs to the societal demands. Dominique Francon is the usual heroine who shares the hero’s set of beliefs and is loved by all the men in picture. In his final trial, Howard Roark stands true to his self against a community ready to convict. In the end, Roark prevails through his brilliant self-representation, which defines the heart of Roark’s (and Rand’s) basic philosophy about individualism, courage and freedom.
Roundup:
Fountainhead is not just about Roark’s struggle to maintain his integrity; rather it is Ayn Rand’s implicit message about individualism versus collectivism and innovators versus second-handers. Second-handers like Peter Keating live for others. Though men like him are termed “selfish” by the world, they are actually the most selfless people who exist. They live for others, always seeking admiration and acceptance from others, always trying to look successful in the eyes of others no matter what means they might need to use to achieve that success. Rand’s strong command of the English language allows for a story with characters who’s dialogs waste no words in conveying their points. The characters might seem out of the world and impractical (especially Howard) to some but you can still identify and relate them to people you’ve come across in real life. Fountainhead is a long read but interesting through-and-through. This is a gripping story well worth the time.