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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
I'm reading this for two reasons; first, it's about architecture and secondly I actually like Roark in some ways, he's completly into what he wants. He is largely different from the current hero of the over-educated vulnerable man who wears his social consciousness almost to the point of self-annihilation. Refreshing. I wonder if there are any people doing what they want to any more instead of doing solely for others?
Not too bad by Rand standards as it does have a plot, characterisation, a believable antagonist, a love story (if you're a sadomasochist who likes borderline non-consensual sex, but there you go), and the Message isn't too overdone. Howard Roark is a bit of a jerk to be honest and 'he never changes' says one character - not sure that's supposed to be a good thing you know. Dynamiting Cortland because the design was changed? Well no. Just think: Roark would probably have physically attacked Charles Jencks if he'd met him. Then maybe at least he'd do some time and how do you like your Objectivist principles when you're sharing a cell with a drug dealer from the Lower East Side, eh? (n.b. it is possible to infer dangerous situations in prison without making jokes about r*pe. I just did so.)
Roark is generally held to be based on Frank Lloyd Wright, although I suspect he's also partly Wells Coates (1895-1958), a Canadian architect who designed innovative public housing but found his designs co-opted by better self-publicists who then changed them. His best known work is the Lawn Road (Isokon) Flats in London. Coates believed that "a rational, scientific, formulated approach to architecture" was needed, which sounds a bit Randian but not in a bad way. Possibly this was Rand at her least unpleasant. Her description of 'looters' generally refers to people who make money without doing the work - speculators and the like. That she wasn't actually anti-capitalist sticks in the craw for many people, but there you go. She wasn't.
Roark is generally held to be based on Frank Lloyd Wright, although I suspect he's also partly Wells Coates (1895-1958), a Canadian architect who designed innovative public housing but found his designs co-opted by better self-publicists who then changed them. His best known work is the Lawn Road (Isokon) Flats in London. Coates believed that "a rational, scientific, formulated approach to architecture" was needed, which sounds a bit Randian but not in a bad way. Possibly this was Rand at her least unpleasant. Her description of 'looters' generally refers to people who make money without doing the work - speculators and the like. That she wasn't actually anti-capitalist sticks in the craw for many people, but there you go. She wasn't.
Audiobook - This was a book I wanted to read because I thought I SHOULD read something by Ayn Rand. It was ok. I didn't find it earth-shattering. I found Roark's attitidue toward Dominique pretty mysogynistic - maybe a sign of the times? So, now that I've read this, I don't feel the need to read "Atlas Shrugged". One Ayn Rand novel was enough for me.
I got to that one scene and got too angry to finish, so I skipped around a bit and read the last page and then returned it to the library.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Entertaining read, characters somewhat rounded. But also, they are ridiculous and unsympathetic, and Ayn Rand just cannot convince me that the hero is a hero. He is enchanted with himself beyond all reason.
this book is hot stuff. i read atlas shrugged first, but found myself immediately more wrapped up in this one.