Of Principles and freedom. Review on FountainHead, The - Ayn Rand

Fountain head, written by Ayn Rand, the advocate of Objectivism is a very interesting book, to say the least.

It should have stirred up a lot of souls when it was first published, and continues to do so. The way the protagonist carries himself through out the story, without any compromise, is too romantic, and inspiring. The story is all about Howard Roark, his struggle in the world of Second-handers, and how he defies odds, and succeeds at last.

Every character is clearly sketched, and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. That you are terrorized by the thought of Elsworth Toohie, or that you feel sorry for Peter Keating, proves the skill and clarity of the writer. To be truthful, it has been a life turner for me.

On second thought, there are some flaws in the story. The central character of Howard Roark, and that of Gail Wynad are characterized as orphans. That is, their starting points are the same. It is not possible in real life to follow Objectivism, as these characters do, as no two man starts his life the same way.

Also, most of Ayn Rand's views reflect ''Advaita'', which says man is a free being, and has to remain objective. However, inspite of this, the lack of regard for India, as mentioned in the story, is unfortunate.

On the whole, a book to be kept as a constant companion, throughout life.