The Fountainhead

[Cringer]

....The book, by Ayn Rand.

I am reading it for the first time right now. Picked it up because every once in a while when I get sick of my normal type of book I wander over to the 'Classics' section and grab one. I am about 35-40% the way through right now. I am surprised because I was kind of unsure about the book, but I am hooked on it.

How many have read this? And don't spoil anything please.

[moriarty]

I've read it. Have you read Atlas Shrugged or is this your intro to Ayn Rand?

[Cringer]

I've read it. Have you read Atlas Shrugged or is this your intro to Ayn Rand?

First book of hers, although I am pretty surw now I will be reading Atlas Shrugged not long after this one. Hastings only had big huge versions of it, even paperback was big and $20 or so. Is that the only way it comes? I love very long reads so I have no problem there. Two of my favorite books are the uncut edition of The Stand and War & Peace.

[moriarty]

First book of hers, although I am pretty surw now I will be reading Atlas Shrugged not long after this one. Hastings only had big huge versions of it, even paperback was big and $20 or so. Is that the only way it comes? I love very long reads so I have no problem there. Two of my favorite books are the uncut edition of The Stand and War & Peace.

it's definitely a big book ($20 seems pricey for an old novel though). There are some very long, drawn out speeches which are a bit difficult to get through but at least you'll know where John Galt gets his login name from.

I don't recall which one was written first, but I think if you like Fountainhead and long books you'll enjoy Atlas Shrugged as well. It definitely pushes her philosophy a bit more.

[atatange1]

I want to read The Fountainhead. Right now I am about half way through Atlas Shrugged.

[QuikSand]

Fountainhead first. Atlas Shrugged next. That's the better order, I'd argue strongly.

You ought to be able to pick up the latter for no more than eight bucks in paperback. Cheaper at a used bookstore, if you prefer.

[Warhammer]

I haven't read The Fountainhead, I've heard enough to know that I probably won't like it. Atlas Shrugged was a great read, but I thought there were some flaws in some of the logic, but it was a great read, except for the monologue.

[John Galt]

Fountainhead first. Atlas Shrugged next. That's the better order, I'd argue strongly.

You ought to be able to pick up the latter for no more than eight bucks in paperback. Cheaper at a used bookstore, if you prefer.

I'd even consider "We the Living" before "Atlas Shrugged." I liked "We the Living" probably more than most people do, though. There was a time in my life where I was greatly influenced by Rand's writing. Nowadays, notsomuch. But I give her more credit than most scholars do - I think it is damn hard to write a politically powerful novel and Rand did a few times.

I think you will find quite a few people on here who have read Rand. I know Jim/Solecismic is a fan.

[I. J. Reilly]

I'd even consider "We the Living" before "Atlas Shrugged." I liked "We the Living" probably more than most people do, though. There was a time in my life where I was greatly influenced by Rand's writing. Nowadays, notsomuch. But I give her more credit than most scholars do - I think it is damn hard to write a politically powerful novel and Rand did a few times.

I think you will find quite a few people on here who have read Rand. I know Jim/Solecismic is a fan.
I had to keep reminding myself of the historical perspective when reading Atlas Shrugged. Some of the ideas are a little more palitable with Communism looming so large.
That being said, I enjoyed The Fountainhead much more then Atlas Shrugged.

[moriarty]

I preferred the beginning to Atlas, but man can that John Galt guy drone on and on at the end. For that reason I probably preferred Fountainhead overall and would definitely recommend Fountainhead first (before Atlas) as a barometer. If you don't like Fountainhead I would not invest my time reading the massive novel that is Atlas.

[John Galt]

I preferred the beginning to Atlas, but man can that John Galt guy drone on and on at the end.

Sorry about that. I get drunk sometimes and can't help myself.

[moriarty]

Sorry about that. I get drunk sometimes and can't help myself.

:D

[MacroGuru]

I need to go back and re read it I guess...I was kind of left with the ho hum of it all...

[Leonidas]

Atlas Shrugged is a bit of a challenge. The first 500 pages or so are very slow. If you can stick it out that long you will be well rewarded. I have read it 4 or 5 times and always find something new when I read it.