The Fountainhead - Finished!

I'm sad that this one had to end but at least it ended with everyone I care about being happy. I good go on and on about how much I've loved every sentence but then I would never get around to reading another book, ever.

The best part of the book for me was part four, chapter eleven. I have to remember to reread that every time I am feeling lost or that I am not being my true self.

Of course I am happy that Roark and Dominique are together in the end, I was getting worried that a love like theirs could never become an actual relationship. The calculated way that Roark waited for her to be ready to become his wife seems almost mathematical. Both of them had such self control that they were able to wait for as long as they did to come together as a united force. 

This book has really made me take a look at my own life and my own views of the world. I feel that Rand has unlocked a door for me into a new world of politics and theories that I have never been interested in before. Prior to this book I thought that such things were only for highly intellectual and highly annoying people but I can see the benefit now in having a strong opinion. Although I haven't taken the time yet research and ponder what I believe in, I know that it is something that I will do now, having read this book. Its a daunting task to solidify a viewpoint on an issue that I can respect myself for and defend but I think that it will also help me become the person I'm meant to be.  So thank you Ayn.

The Fountainhead - First Half

Wow, I dont even know where to begin. Had I been smart I would have decided to write after each few chapters because this book has given me so many thoughts. As it is, I was too enthralled to stop reading long enough to write about it.

I think that the reason I had a tough time on my first go around with The Fountainhead was that Rand packs so much punch into each sentence. Every word is important, each sentence has meaning. Its hard to feel like I've gotten everything that the book has to offer because my brain just isn't big enough to handle all of it at once, nor fast enough to analyze every thought of hers. I have never been the type of person to read a book more than once, but I can see that happening in this case and getting more from it each time.

I love Roark so much. It was so difficult for me to read about his hard times when he would not accept work because that is not something I could ever do but I admire him so much for it. Having Keating in the novel only makes it more clear that Roark is so full of integrity and passion. I am scared that I might be more like Keating but at least this novel has allowed me to recognize that and hopefully change me into someone more similar to Roark.

I could go on and on about my thoughts on The Fountainhead but it seems like that would be very Keating of me. Instead I will enjoy the remainder of the pages in quiet amusement much like Roark would.

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Ok, here goes the second attempt.

I am choosing to read this one now because a man that I really admire has told me that this is his favorite book of all times. In an effort to secure his admiration I am going to power through. This time I'm going to start with research on the author and the plot line so that I can read with a better sense of understanding. I am hoping to realize that I was just being lazy before and that this is actually a book that I will someday be able to call one of my favorites as well.

The Fountainhead Interrupted

I tried many many times to get into this book but my brain would not have it. I must have read the first chapter eight times and every time I was finished I could not remember what had happened. Rather than suffering through another attempt I am going to put it back on the shelf and save for another, more studious day. I think that I have been reading too many books from a male point of view so I think I need to switch it up and read a more female book. So round one, Fountainhead has won.

The Foutainhead by Ayn Rand

Yikes! This is going to be a doozie! Longest book that I am atempting thus far so I am praying that its interesting.

Here is the very vague summary:

The Fountainhead has become an enduring piece of literature, more popular now than when published in 1943. On the surface, it is a story of one man, Howard Roark, and his struggles as an architect in the face of a successful rival, Peter Keating, and a newspaper columnist, Ellsworth Toohey. But the book addresses a number of universal themes: the strength of the individual, the tug between good and evil, the threat of fascism. The confrontation of those themes, along with the amazing stroke of Rand's writing, combine to give this book its enduring influence.



Here we go!