The Fountainhead

This is the only book that i deliberately delayed reading..Actually, so many people had told me about this book that it got on my nerves..But fortunately, my wife pressed me so much so that i had to pick it up..and i must admit that i am extremely greatful to her for making me read this modern days classic..its a completely engrossing,extremely thought provoking & an inspring read..

Before zeroing in on to its characters i'll just talk a bit about its theme and its central idea.."Obectivism" is the driving force behind this great novel..As its title very aptly suggests, the man is the fountainhead of all the creativity, virilty, joy & love..And therefore, if the man has discovered his real self, he may very easily reach the pinnacle of its glory & unleash the power of the human spirit..

Ayn Rand has so beautifully delineated all the nuances of mankind and personalities through the various characters of this novel that you would be amazed by her observation power..

Now, coming to the characters of this novel..Howard Roark is the male protagonist of the story who is completely aware of his self, its needs and its weaknesses & strengths..A person who has firm belief in human spirit & its potential..Dominique Francon, the female version of the same human self who knows what Howard means to the world and tries to protect him in a way to hurt him so that he doesn’t get weak or buckles down to the obstacles, humiliation or sufferings the world puts him through..Another intriguing character Mr. Toohey, a philosopher, a social worker, a mentor who prefers collectivism to individualism..a means by which he aims to hold the key to power over all the weak persons or dependents or people unaware of their own potentials..Peter Keatin, a complete parasite who is one of the puppets of Mr. Toohey, has no self, no strength to fight, a weakling..

The Fountainhead is the story of an architect, who is a perfectionist and never compromises on his work ethics & principles..Howard Roark, the architect who keeps on fighting this world of second handers & those who have forgotten their self or mortgaged their souls in the hands of those who seek perverse pleasure in fiddling with these selfless souls..His paramour, Dominique, another individualist who knows how the world treats those who don’t adhere to the norms of the regular world.. She understands the needs of Roark and never makes him weak because of their love..She rather strengthens their bond by sacrificing her individuality in the hands of this corrupt world..Mr. Toohey keeps manipulating the world as per his choice, trying to destroy Roark to prove his own superiority in his own eyes..The story culminates into a courtroom trial where Roark speaks his mind and talks about the effects of Indivisualism & Collectivism on our society..That speech of Roark is a masterpiece in itself..And it very aptly sums up the whole purpose & motive behind this story by Ayn Rand..

All in all, it’s a fantastic book and a must read by anyone who is at all interested in reading true literature.. Thats all for now..See you soon guys with the review of some another book ..Till then Happy reading!!