[Foreversky]

Any intelligent mind that has read this book and found it amazingly interesting- mad respect/props to you. For those you haven't read the classic novel, I highly recommend it to everyone- that seeks a greater understanding of society and its philosophy. Personally, I've read many books but I find these two books my all time favorites. I have never been so blown away by the speeches made by the characters in the book, it literaly gave me goosebumps. The books are fairly lengthy but definitely worth the read- they're 750-1400 pages long.

Whats very crucially important about her books is how she sets forth her philosophy of objectivism:

"My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.

—Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged 35th anniversary edition[4]"

She stresses how a successful life is created by one's feelings, desires, or intuitions rather than living up to "society's standards". This is very important because society induces a lot of influence over us and how we should live our lives through "social conditioning". Through social conditioning we are domesticated from early childhood to live up to other's approval, especially through those we have authority over us (usually parents). Then through public enviroments (schools, churches, clubs, etc) and mass media, we are constantly influenced to live up to society's standard.

So then we have people who choose a career that they might not necessarily like (or despise) but chooses that route because he/she will get validations from society. As long as they feel accepted and important it doesn't really matter what they do in life be it; doctors, lawyers, buissnessmans etc (overly generalizing here).

I think this is really amazing because if you look at our current society, its ridiculous. People spend hundreds, thousands of money to buy things they don't need just to live up to society's standards/trend- constantly seeking validations from others. People are so insecure they have to buy and wear brand name clothes/accessories so they feel more "worthy" about themselves.
Anyways I side tracked a bit from the book here but Ayn Rand does a remarkable job portraying these concepts through various characters throughout the book.

I had no intentions of praising the book so much, but it did infact, made a huge difference in my life. I started to question my lifestyle- make long story short it made me change my career. I learned to be more respectful for myself and to live my life not caring what others think of me.

For those who have read the book, i would like any review/opinions about the book or the author or the philosophy behind it.

[heartdrops]

I have to read The Fountainhead for summer reading. I still haven't started yet T__T
My teacher said for The Fountainhead, you'll either like it or hate it due to the philosophy stuff hahas.

[angelcadex]

I was contemplating sometime ago on making a thread for Ayn Rand in general in this section but never got around to it I love love LOVE her writing style, her philosophy, her mastery in literature, and basically everything lol.

I'm wondering who the favorite characters are here?
My favorite character of Ayn Rand is Francisco D'Anconia =]
Intelligent...suave...and loyal.
I was crushed that him and Dagny could not be together,
in my opinion their romance at the beginning was one of the most beautiful descriptions of love I have ever read. It was just perfect. I knew Dagny wouldn't go back, but still.
John Gault is too perfect O_O And his speech. OH MY GOD.

I have read Atlas Shrugged and Anthem (in that order) and both I adore. I probably should have read them chronologically but oh well. Hoping to read The Foutainhead this summer!

[Foreversky]

I was contemplating sometime ago on making a thread for Ayn Rand in general in this section but never got around to it I love love LOVE her writing style, her philosophy, her mastery in literature, and basically everything lol.

I'm wondering who the favorite characters are here?
My favorite character of Ayn Rand is Francisco D'Anconia =]
Intelligent...suave...and loyal.
I was crushed that him and Dagny could not be together,
in my opinion their romance at the beginning was one of the most beautiful descriptions of love I have ever read. It was just perfect. I knew Dagny wouldn't go back, but still.
John Gault is too perfect O_O And his speech. OH MY GOD.

I have read Atlas Shrugged and Anthem (in that order) and both I adore. I probably should have read them chronologically but oh well. Hoping to read The Foutainhead this summer!

Frisco was awesome... i LOVED his speech about the "money the root of all evil", was totally blown away by it.
I found it funny tho, how he shows up where you least expect him. Later you get used to it tho and your anticipating him popping out of nowhere anytime.

I read the Fountainhead first- i loved it because the main charc in the book was like a perfect character i always wanted.
Since you've read atlas shrugged, however, you will get a sense that... "Ayn could have done much better" feeling since Atlas shrugged, imo, is like fountainhead x5 (philosophical and story wise).
Nevertheless, its still one of my favorite books and planning it to reread it whenver i have time.

Actually I heard somewhere that there is actually a MOVIE made out of those two books, but been so old now i hope i have any chance of getting em

[Myss Blewm]

I heard that Angelina Jolie wants to make a movie out of "Atlas Shrugged".

A long time ago I was talking to a friend and she said her teacher told her to read "The Fountainhead" because it changed her teacher's life as a young woman. I never got around to it. But I've heard a lot of great things about Ayn Rand and her books. I will get to them eventually....I have a lot of books on my "to read" list. XD

[angelcadex]

Actually I heard somewhere that there is actually a MOVIE made out of those two books, but been so old now i hope i have any chance of getting em

I heard that Angelina Jolie wants to make a movie out of "Atlas Shrugged".

On wiki I think it was, I read there have been many adaptations of the books, most are foreign?

Yes! Atlas Shrugged is in progress of casting now! Angelina Jolie will be playing Dagny and rumor is that Russell Crowe will play Hank, and Brad Pitt might play as someone, but not John Gault. Its speculated that Gault will be played as an unknown, but I really think Brad Pitt looks like Gault in my mind. I really can't wait x.x I think someone told me that it won't be set however many years ago, but will be set in the future so it can address our problems and whatnot.

[colloquy]

I prefer The Fountainhead over Atlas Shrugged. Rand has some good stories, but I usually just drift through her chapters of philosophy that she inserted into her novels.

[sweetsmile]

^ haha same here. Or maybe that's because I read The Fountainhead first so... it impacted me more? But really, those are two books I can read over and over again without getting tired of the story.

The thing that kinda annoys me about her characters is the fact they're so "perfect" like angelcadex has already mentioned -__-;;

[Foreversky]

Yes! Atlas Shrugged is in progress of casting now! Angelina Jolie will be playing Dagny and rumor is that Russell Crowe will play Hank, and Brad Pitt might play as someone, but not John Gault. Its speculated that Gault will be played as an unknown, but I really think Brad Pitt looks like Gault in my mind. I really can't wait x.x I think someone told me that it won't be set however many years ago, but will be set in the future so it can address our problems and whatnot.

Wow seriously...?? that'd be so crazy haha... bout time.
Angelina jolie as Dangy!?!? haha

[endlessrain]

Ive heard good things about these books and ive always wanted to check them out so im going to the library tomorrow and was wondering which one should i read first, Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged?

[Foreversky]

Ive heard good things about these books and ive always wanted to check them out so im going to the library tomorrow and was wondering which one should i read first, Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged?

Personally id recommend The Fountainhead first. That way you can get a better grasp of Ayn Rand's works/philosophy in Atlas shrugged- more appreciation. Atlas shrugged may be a little "too much" in the beginning if you haven't read The Fountainhead, as you are not used to Ayn's "concepts".

[lampshade]

If they're making a movie then I have to finish the book asap!

I have Atlas Shrugged but it's so tremendously long that I haven't the time to finish it due to school. I tried reading it during this school year, but had to read books for my English class. Now it's summer but I have my summer classes. argh!

[Maddie0407]

OH my gosh.
I LOVED THE FOUNTAINHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn't put it down. Seriously! It's a GREAT book, I loved it.

As for Atlas Shrugged...I started it after I finished The Fountainhead, which was Junior year of high school...and now I just graduated from high school and I'm not even done with that book. LOL I never had time to. I'm on part 2, I believe and John Gault haven't been introduced yet. . So, now it's my goal to finish it. It's humongous. O_O

[bluenette]

I am almost finished with The Fountainhead. I started it last summer and it got boring in the middle during the Gail Wynand part but now I am up to Howard Roark's part. But this book is good because I am studying to be an architect and it has taught me a lot.

[atel]

Personally id recommend The Fountainhead first. That way you can get a better grasp of Ayn Rand's works/philosophy in Atlas shrugged- more appreciation. Atlas shrugged may be a little "too much" in the beginning if you haven't read The Fountainhead, as you are not used to Ayn's "concepts".

i think i should've done that instead. i read Atlas - i mean i'd follow the plot. if there's philosophical moment, i was like okay. but didn't feel impacted or anything so didn't bother trying The Fountainhead.

This post has been edited by atel: 08 August 2008 - 06:21 PM

[heartdrops]

For those that have read The Fountainhead, can you help me with a question?
Why wasn't the dynamiting of Cortlandt an example of irrationality?
Thank you!