Thursday, October 3, 2013

Book Review: The Fountain Head




“Man’s ego is the fountain head of human progress.” 

I know you believe it but If you have got any problem with the above sentence, here is the novel to convince you. Great characters, very powerful and inspiring words, mind blowing details, great expression and very relevant themes. Was very impressed with the way it started. Felt like Roark is the man the world needs.

As the story progressed, got more insight about Roark and Peter Keating. Roark became a bit predictive but was never boring. It was Peter Keating's character that impressed me very much. The way he doubted his eligibility, status as a famous architect and the way he got destabilized in the presence of Roark was very impressive. I had come across many Roarks and Keatings during my IIT days; Keatings who assumed the best positions in the world’s best firms and Roark's who were struggling their part in their 'hopeful' world. It was very good to read similar characters in print.
It was Dominique who was extremely mysterious. Her character in general and behavior in particular with Roark is awesome. Roark's character which seemed pretty straight forward took a sudden interesting turn with her entry in to his life. However, in the end, Dominique ended up as a hate figure for all the feminists in view of her extreme sub-ordinance to Roark and psychological domination of Roark. Toohey's role grew in importance as the novel proceeded and together with Dominique does amazing things that surely has got many dramatic consequences which entertains the reader immensely.
The climax where Roark addresses the court, I feel is one of the best written passages ever written. Below is one passage from the book which I liked very much.

"How did you know what's been killing me? Slowly, for years, driving me to hate people when i don't want to hate...Have you felt it, too? Have you seen how your best friends love everything about you- except the things that count? And your most important is nothing to them, nothing, not even a sound they can recognize. You mean, you want to hear? You want to know what I do and why I do it, you want to know what I think? It's not boring to you? It's important?"

The review may be summarized as given below.

Pro’s:

1. Characters that stay with you for the rest of our life.

2. Excellent narration and gripping plot.

3. Inspiring and at times philosophical which makes the reader introspect.

Cons:

1. Focus was mainly to highlight the hero Roark that other characters were made to pay homage Roark.