The Fountainhead

Ayn Rand

Apr 2005 · Penguin

About this ebook

The revolutionary literary vision that sowed the seeds of Objectivism, Ayn Rand's groundbreaking philosophy, and brought her immediate worldwide acclaim.

This modern classic is the story of intransigent young architect Howard Roark, whose integrity was as unyielding as granite...of Dominique Francon, the exquisitely beautiful woman who loved Roark passionately, but married his worst enemy...and of the fanatic denunciation unleashed by an enraged society against a great creator. As fresh today as it was then, Rand’s provocative novel presents one of the most challenging ideas in all of fiction—that man’s ego is the fountainhead of human progress...

“A writer of great power. She has a subtle and ingenious mind and the capacity of writing brilliantly, beautifully, bitterly...This is the only novel of ideas written by an American woman that I can recall.”—The New York Times

Ratings and reviews

I first read this bok at 14 or 15. I was captivated. I read it at 19, and laughed. It seemed a parody of every right-wing radio show. Now, I think Rand is just sad. Poorly written. Celebrating a brutal person in Howard Roark who acts with sociopathic insensitivity. And a together woman who falls in love with him because his callousness makes him a "Super Man?" More like a sad excuse of a human acting sub-human. And don't forget about the warmed-over Aristotle and Neitzche that sits at the heart of Rand's purile philosophy.... I could go on, but it's not really worth it.

After reading this book on a friend's recommendation, I was next given a copy of her tome - 'The Virtue of Selfishness' - an excruciating tract which posited that those people who donate their time and money to charitable causes are not good or generous at all, but are only self-serving, bad people. Both books were a big waste of my time - but at least I can say I have read her and do not need to waste any more of my time on any more of her writings.

Everyone who isn't a self-seeking "artist" is merely an unimaginative "taker" who lives only to feed off the noble capitalistic scraps of the hero... Nevermind the fact that Ayn Rand, destitute and alone, spent her last days on welfare. Her "philosophy", I shudder to call it that, is nothing more than a childish over-reaction to the mediocrity of a corrupt Soviet Union.

About the author

Born February 2, 1905, Ayn Rand published her first novel, We the Living, in 1936. Anthem followed in 1938. It was with the publication of The Fountainhead (1943) and Atlas Shrugged (1957) that she achieved her spectacular success. Rand’s unique philosophy, Objectivism, has gained a worldwide audience. The fundamentals of her philosophy are put forth in three nonfiction books, Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology, The Virtues of Selfishness, and Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal. They are all available in Signet editions, as is the magnificent statement of her artistic credo, The Romantic Manifesto.