Finished book No. 12 just the other day, and even though it took a while to get through I really enjoyed it.The book was "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand. It's a bit hard to explain all of the intricacies to the book but it is about an architect named Howard Roark and the struggles he faces in order to be an individualist in an increasingly collective society. He wants to follow his own path and make his buildings the way he envisions them with no outside influence. This becomes increasingly hard as every group, contractor and builder wants to have their own say in how the buildings should be created. There's also Peter Keating, the exact opposite of Roark. He has little talent and relies on the help of others to rise to the top in the world of architecture. And there's, of course, the love interest: Dominique Francon. She is the perfect woman for Roark and their relationship is certainly an interesting one as she fights to live in a world that she doesn't feel lives up to her standards and stifles her own individuality.
The main theme of the book is Objectivism, Rand's own philosophy. It consists of Metaphysics: objective reality; Epistemology: reason; Ethics: rational self-interest; Politics: individual rights and capitalism; and Aesthetics: metaphysical value-judgements. It's actually a bit hard to explain and easier to understand once the book has been read, but it's a very interesting philosophy. I also really like the character of Howard Roark, he's supposed to epitomize the perfect man, and I think in many ways he does.
That's what makes the book a bit difficult to understand and read, at least it really makes you think when reading it. Often times I had to set the book down just to contemplate what I had read. I'm also sure I missed a lot of the underlying themes and motifs. I feel it would take more than one read to understand everything Rand is trying to convey.
But it was worth the read, and I'm definitely going to read her other masterpiece: "Atlas Shrugged."
Up next?: "Rise and Shine" by Anna Quindlen
ohh I've been debating tackling this just because it seems like something everyone should read. But it just doesn't pique my interest. I'm glad you liked it! Maybe in the future. Plus they talk about it in Gilmore Girls ahha so it's a must read.
ReplyDeleteAnna Quindlen is depressing right? she seems depressing.