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The Fountainhead
- Narrated by: Christopher Hurt
- Length: 32 hrs and 5 mins
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The Fountainhead
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Summary
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Russell
- 06-03-13
Its no Atlas shrugged
Ayn Rand is so good at showing the dangers of central control that it actually hurts to write bad things about her books.
This is about one mans struggle to make his mark in the world and will make no compromise whatsoever. People will see it his way or not at all and the book is one depressing fall after another until he achieves his ambition.
It represents her philosophy of objectivism that is an acquired taste to say the least but it’s an interesting subject.
It’s nowhere near as good as ‘Atlas Shrugged’, which you must listen too.
The problem I have with Rand is her characters; I hate all of them, good or bad. She is also very pro man. I should not have a problem with this but her views of women do not sit well in my male mind despite not being particularly modern in my mind-set.
She is very much like her main character in that she writes this book her way despite what others may think which adds an air of authenticity to her works.
To sum up I suggest you get Atlas Shrugged first and see what you think of it, if you like try this if not stay well away.
13 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D. Berry
- 04-12-13
Romantic Objectivity at it's finest
Would you consider the audio edition of The Fountainhead to be better than the print version?
The audio edition was brilliantly read by Christopher Hurt who added a hidden depth to each character, something which I didn't get with the printed edition.
Who was your favorite character and why?
My favorite character has to be Howard Roark, as the main focus of the Fountainhead you follow his story. The story of Roark's life is one that won't only entertain you, make you feel the same emotions as Roark in the story but teach you about objectivist philosophy and how a purely objectivist man would live their life.
What does Christopher Hurt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
Christopher Hurt applies a level of depth to the characters which I didn't get in the book, emoting each speech which gives you the ability to feel more for the story and what is going on. Whilst keeping the story alive, Christopher allows you to keep fully immersed in the story without feeling like your being read too.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
My emotional response to the book was one of sympathy, sympathy to the reality of today's society and the one that is described in the book. Unfortunately Rand's second-hander society is one I see around me everyday.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- JennyT
- 19-09-19
Annoyingly brilliant
I’m not really sure what I can say about the fountainhead, I loved it, I hated it. If you read and love books to feel something you might love this but you might hate it. Christopher Hurts performance is pretty fantastic either way
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 30-04-18
ultracapitalist
as a socialist I thought her critique of communism was spot on. She champions the individual the hero. shes altered my thoughts
4 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Steve
- 18-01-14
A slow start into the rules of being selfish
What would have made The Fountainhead better?
I have to be fair I gave it an hour. In that time i didn't connect with any of the character. I thought the story was setting up to some great insight, but instead it left me cold. It's just not my cup of tea; however, if you like the capitalist story on steroids or if you find that every man's for himself, then you might be able to connect. BBC you gave the story more hype than it deserved.
Would you ever listen to anything by Ayn Rand again?
I might try to understand her politics again at a later stage
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Piotr
- 26-02-17
Idealists, all creators and designers must read.
Difficult to compare, as different, but for me just behind Atlas Shrugged. Love, Ideas, Story.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- portia
- 16-11-15
Exceptional
What an exceptionally thrilling story! I enjoyed the different characters, my favourites being Roricke and Dominique of course.
Applause to the narrator! Magnificent storytelling!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Katarina
- 19-03-15
Great story
Good quality and reading speed. Enjoyable and highly recommended.
The only thing is that recording broke a few times. Thanks
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Peter Lawless
- 26-01-19
Phenomenal
One of the most powerful books ever written and reproduced here as a fitting tribute to the classic it surely is.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jimbo
- 12-01-19
Part 2 missing?
I was struggling to understand why the story had changed so much, and having read a chapter by chapter summary it seems as if part 2 is missing from this audio book? very disappointed.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Zachary
- 04-06-10
The Fountainhead
This was my first brush against anything Ayn Rand ever did, and it was fantastic. Much of the enjoyment came not only from the elements of the story itself, but from the narrator; he is no Christopher Lee, but the particular voicing of so many various characters was brilliant. Whether it was the slyly pompous Ellsworth Toohey, the ever-stoic Howard Roark, the sad Dominique, or the brash Gail Wynand, hearing their dialogue spoken with such talent was the extra treat to the what they represented within the story itself. If you're looking for a story that transcends mere political philosophy with a philosophy of humanity, one that makes one think and enjoy at the same time, then I highly recommend this particular audio book.
104 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- V. A. Klair
- 14-06-08
Go for the unabridged
My 19 year old son is a great Ayn Rand fan and has read all her books, and I could tell he was influenced by her thinking and wanted to discuss it. I was never going to get the time to read the books. So I tested the waters with Anthem- a good, quick listen, and knew I wanted more. The Unabridged version of The Fountainhead seemed so daunting, but I took the chance and 32 hours later am glad I did! I echo the other reviewers in the riveting interest in the book and would encourage anyone interested in modern thought to go for the whole thing! Today I download Atlas Shrugged... Unabridged!
89 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- CMC
- 23-05-09
One of the Best
One of the best narration's, if not the best that I've heard. Apparently, Christopher Hurt is very familiar with the book and captures the tone and attitude of the characters perfectly.
On top of that, Ayn Rand presents her philosophy incredibly effectively in the story. This makes for much better comprehension when you have the characters to exemplify the spectrum of attitudes towards life that exist around us. I personally saw pieces of myself in most of the characters and it has helped me recognize when I am thinking independently and truthfully, and conversely, when collective thought dominates my mind. A very good read for those trying to approach life in a pro-active, self-motivated, and independently chosen way.
80 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Bradley
- 24-12-07
Thank God for this Atheist!
Don't miss this or Atlas Shrugged. I purchased Atlas Shrugged early last summer. I couldn't get myself to start it because of the length. When I finally started it and when I was half way through the first section I became hooked. I purchaser the Fountainhead because Atlas Shrugged was so good and I was not disappointed. The narrator on both books was excellent, same guy. It is amazing how a book(s) written so long ago can hold up as good as it does. If you are an economic conservative do not hesitate. If you are an economic liberal don’t bother. She does a great job making economic liberals look stupid. This book is about greatness and how we as a society must encourage it. Even though she was an atheist, I say thank God for Ayn Rand.
36 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rob
- 21-10-09
2nd Only to Atlas
I recently discovered Ayn Rand recently, and listened to Atlas Shrugged, and it was the best book I have read or listened to. I read Fountainhead next not expecting it to be anything as good as Atlas, but it was just about as great. It's different but similar, a little quieter but just as thought provoking. Such a range of characters. Is it coincident between the two books, the two main ladies have a name that start with D, and the two main men have the initials HR?
34 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Gohar
- 19-05-09
Outstanding book....
This is one of the best fictional books I have ever read. Ayn Rand talks about individualism in a beautiful crafted fictional story. The main characters are so different from each other that Rand has dedicated every part of the book to their origin, beliefs and personality. You get to understand where every one of them comes from and their reasons for their decisions. Howard Roark is an emblem for creative minds and an individual who would stand for his own beliefs. Rand uses architecture as a profession to describe her objectivist theory but you'd see in every and specially your own profession so many times in the book. Great listen. And I would definitely recommend this book more than Atlas Shrugged, reasons for which I have already reviewed in that audiobook's section.
33 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Brad
- 24-12-07
Thank God for this Atheist!
Don't miss this or Atlas Shrugged. I purchased Atlas Shrugged early last summer. I couldn't get myself to start it because of the length. When I finally started it and when I was half way through the first section I became hooked. I purchaser the Fountainhead because Atlas Shrugged was so good and I was not disappointed. The narrator on both books was excellent, same guy. It is amazing how a book(s) written so long ago can hold up as good as it does. If you are an economic conservative do not hesitate. If you are an economic liberal don’t bother. She does a great job making economic liberals look stupid. This book is about greatness and how we as a society must encourage it. Even though she was an atheist, I say thank God for Ayn Rand.
32 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- L. Kerr
- 22-12-10
much better than expected
This book was on my bucket list. I didn't think I'd like it because it is currently popular with conservative wingnuts who do not share my political views. To my suprise, it seems to be more about rugged individualism than politics. The protagonists have a Hemmingway flavor, i.e., marching to their own tune. The plot moves well. And, contrary to what some critics say, the prose style is succinct and colorful. I heartily recommend this novel whether you are a righty or lefty. The price is right, too.
30 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Eric Pietz
- 25-07-09
Powerful
The prose, philosophy and character development are simply brilliant. Its amazing to think that she was able to fuse these three things together to create such a timeless work at a relatively young age...mid-thirties. Its equally amazing to think this book was rejected by 12 publishers before one accepted it.
28 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Jim "The Impatient"
- 25-08-13
Your Much Worse Then A Bitch, Your A Saint
EVEN IF HE DOES TALK LIKE A TRUCK DRIVER
There are some interesting characters. I learned more about architecture then I though I ever wanted and there was some weird sex. After long stretches of nothing or gossip or philosophy something interesting could happen. The main character stands for what he believes in and will not back down.
THERE ARE THINGS IN LIFE THAT MUST BE DESTROYED OR THEY WILL DESTROY US.
Like the main character, I must write what I believe. I must not let the common egghead influence my thinking. Howard Roarke is a Vulcan. This 32 hour diatribe is a thinly masked attempt to turn us all into mind numb robots. Who wants to admit that they listen to 32 hours of boring tripe. If you listened that long, you must convince others that it is great literature. It has happened before. Look at Moby Dick. I was able to break out of the trance after 14 hours. Friends don't let friends read Ayn Rand.
Before Audible, there was Books on Tape. If you have listened to Books on Tape, then you will probably remember Christopher Hurt. His smooth narration will take you back, will soothe your nerves, will help you fall into the trap.STOP!!!!!
27 people found this helpful