I did finish The Fountainhead at last! And all I can say is that I really liked it and want to read more of her works. (I have this uncanny habit of reading several books of the same author in case I like their writing.)

Ayn Rand takes a bit of time to build characters but the outcome is fabulous. Be it Howard Roark, Dominique Francon, Ellsworth Toohey, or Gail Wynand, each character has a soul and resembles real life people. What I liked very much was the fact that though the novel was written in early 1930s, it seems as if it is a story of modern times. The theory of objectivism is put forward by the protoganist Howard Roark during his trial is something to ponder. It advocates personal achievement over altruism, and the fact that no man can be happy by living for others sake. He has to first achieve his goals and then work towards achieving something for the society. Roark also condemns collectivism and says that the original idea for any work is of one person, the rest of the people working just to achieve that dream. There are people who do not compromise on their beliefs and work and there are also people, generally second handers, who sacrifice their soul to please others and thus achieve the material gains.

I am sure these theories of objectivism must have drawn enough flak from the intellectuals as altruism is still considered a virtue. Whatever might be the case; I did like her style of writing and am willing to read ‘Atlas Shrugged’ which is supposed to be a masterpiece by the same author.