I enjoyed Fountainhead – found it to be an interesting story back when I was in college and flew threw it, couldn’t put it down – but Atlas Shrugged was horrible. I never finished it, after trying for a very long time, was so very boring. I suggest not wasting your time.
I read it right after graduating college and loved it! I tried re-reading it a year or so ago (50 years later!), and wondered why in the world I enjoyed it so. I didn’t get very far into it before I decided not to continue, and I donated it to a thrift store.
I keep thinking that would be how I felt if I tried to re-read Fountainhead. Because sometimes I see the look of horror in people’s faces when I mention that I liked it and I want to quickly explain that I was very young, with absolutely no life experience when I read it.
it’s funny cause the reviews are the same as the responses here…..either people loved it or hated it. i guess i’ll give it a shot since i inadvertently picked up two different copies in two different thrift stores…..maybe i was meant to read it..lol
I am one of the few that detested this book. Couldn’t have cared less about the characters. I didn’t find anything redeeming about them. I didn’t even finish it.
I think its considered a classic so I would read it. I did years ago. I think it has some relevance to what is going on politically, too, but I could be wrong.
This is hard to get through but I really loved The Fountainhead and most of all We the Living. It had such an emotional impact on me that when I finished it, I remember I sat without moving for several minutes. And it was a long time ago!
No. If you want to learn about Rand’s philosophy, read her much shorter, “Anthem.” I used to teach it in my high school English classes. Adolescents are quite taken with her ideas because they haven’t honed their empathy and compassion skills yet, two emotions that Ayn Rand thought were useless.
A bit of a rite of passage for 20 somethings. Many have characterized it as right wing but I think it is more Libertarian. It’s not a literary masterpiece by any means but is an interesting fictionalization of a political point of view. If you can read it with a critical perspective it can be a valuable insight.
I’ve read both of them several times over the last 30 or so years. Interesting how my perspective has changed over the years, however I enjoyed them both very much.
Considering she grew up in Russia during the revolution and saw communism take her father’s business and prevented her further education, her philosophy of Objectivism and belief in pure Capitalism makes sense. We the Living is the closest to an autobiography that she wrote although it is fictional.
I’m about 1/8 of the way through, I like it, but I wouldn’t bother unless you’ve got the time to dedicate to it! I currently don’t, and it’s been my great white whale because of that
Our book club just selected it. I am always intrigued when there are such diverse opinions on a book, as to where I will land with it! I am a little intimidated by it’s length and bummed that all my others books will be neglected for some time! But I will give it a go!
Nope
Both interesting and depressing. So many similarities with current trends. Of course, read it!
I enjoyed Fountainhead – found it to be an interesting story back when I was in college and flew threw it, couldn’t put it down – but Atlas Shrugged was horrible. I never finished it, after trying for a very long time, was so very boring. I suggest not wasting your time.
It is.like drinking the Kool-Aid….. He very open minded. Can mess with your brain.
I read it right after graduating college and loved it! I tried re-reading it a year or so ago (50 years later!), and wondered why in the world I enjoyed it so. I didn’t get very far into it before I decided not to continue, and I donated it to a thrift store.
I keep thinking that would be how I felt if I tried to re-read Fountainhead. Because sometimes I see the look of horror in people’s faces when I mention that I liked it and I want to quickly explain that I was very young, with absolutely no life experience when I read it.
I read it a long time ago, but I liked it then.
And I read Fountainhead. Both were controversial as was the author. You might want to find some reviews before making your choice.
it’s funny cause the reviews are the same as the responses here…..either people loved it or hated it. i guess i’ll give it a shot since i inadvertently picked up two different copies in two different thrift stores…..maybe i was meant to read it..lol
it’s just soooo long….everytime i go to pick it up, i’m like….nah…lol
I couldn’t do it! It was horrible. I decided maybe I wasn’t esoteric enough! Even the Hollywood movie was horrible.
For me, it’s more about Ayn Rand’s world view. I could never separate that out
For me, this is a classic. I’ve read it about 4 times and always enjoy it.
I loved Atlas Shrugged and still think about it today
I read it in high school. It can’t hurt, but it’s just what it looks like. A Russian response to early socialism.
Loved it.
❤️❤️
Yes.
Yes
I am one of the few that detested this book. Couldn’t have cared less about the characters. I didn’t find anything redeeming about them. I didn’t even finish it.
@Jorey. Same here! Just ugh…
Loved this book, The Fountainhead and We the Living when I read them, but that was 50 years ago. Not sure what I would think of them now.
I can’t get very far before i give up. Does it get better the further you go?
Same as me about 50 years ago and loved them also wondered if I would enjoy them again
I think its considered a classic so I would read it. I did years ago. I think it has some relevance to what is going on politically, too, but I could be wrong.
I didn’t like the characters. This book was depressing.
For pleasure? No To understand the mindset of Libertarians/because you’re working through the ‘Classics’? Yes
#2
Yes
Yes, especially if you are concerned about the direction this country is headed.
@Doreen As in Socialism??
Read it 30 years ago and loved it. Hated the movie on Amazon Prime (?) I saw few weeks ago.
I never understood the appeal of her work.
This is hard to get through but I really loved The Fountainhead and most of all We the Living. It had such an emotional impact on me that when I finished it, I remember I sat without moving for several minutes. And it was a long time ago!
@Gail yes, I liked them all. Like u said so many yrs. ago.
I read it many years ago. Liked it.
I was so young when I read it. Different world view now. Very hedonistic.
Depends on your politics and ethics
Personally, I liked it. It was apropos
It took me a year to read, but I took frequent breaks. Bucket list item for me.
No
No.
Rent the movies!
Ack no horrid book
Yes!
Read it twice. Incredible Book. Then see the movie. First time I read it was 55 years ago.
Yes!
Yes, for sure!
Worth a read to understand different political perspectives.
Yes.
Yes
Awesome book!
I hated it.
No. If you want to learn about Rand’s philosophy, read her much shorter, “Anthem.” I used to teach it in my high school English classes. Adolescents are quite taken with her ideas because they haven’t honed their empathy and compassion skills yet, two emotions that Ayn Rand thought were useless.
Absolutely not.
Hated it as it scared me to death. So right wing with no empathy for anyone but themselves.
@Susan It’s called Hedonism. It’s all about yourself.
One of the first “grown-up” books I read as a teenager and still a favorite!!
A bit of a rite of passage for 20 somethings. Many have characterized it as right wing but I think it is more Libertarian. It’s not a literary masterpiece by any means but is an interesting fictionalization of a political point of view. If you can read it with a critical perspective it can be a valuable insight.
I’ve read both of them several times over the last 30 or so years. Interesting how my perspective has changed over the years, however I enjoyed them both very much.
In my opinion yes. It’s my favorite book of all time. I have probably read it 20-30 times. Every time I read I get something new from it.
Loved it! Definitely a must read!
I’m suspect of Ayn Rand….her political views are scary…just my thoughts…
@Karen Her books have a strange allure when you don’t stop and think through what her world view really means.
Considering she grew up in Russia during the revolution and saw communism take her father’s business and prevented her further education, her philosophy of Objectivism and belief in pure Capitalism makes sense. We the Living is the closest to an autobiography that she wrote although it is fictional.
@Cindy
I will keep that in mind.✔️?
@Karen let us know what you think after you read it.
@Susan i will but it may take awhile.
✔️✔️✔️✔️
Absolutely!!!!?
No way
I’m about 1/8 of the way through, I like it, but I wouldn’t bother unless you’ve got the time to dedicate to it! I currently don’t, and it’s been my great white whale because of that
Moira my mother in law read this and yes, it is a lot to take in-but she thought it was worth it. Love your name 🙂
Yes!!!
YES!! It is a slog but well worth it.
Our book club just selected it. I am always intrigued when there are such diverse opinions on a book, as to where I will land with it! I am a little intimidated by it’s length and bummed that all my others books will be neglected for some time! But I will give it a go!