BOOK REVIEW: FOUNTAINHEAD

A vision of perfection, Hero we all need.

Earlier civilizations, and many today projected it as god.
It took forms of icons like Caeser and Napolean for some.
It continues to be embodied in likes of Dhoni, Sachin, Bindra in sports;
cult of Amitabh in cinema, or contemporary reality bosses.

For me that vision has grown into Howard Roark.

'Fountainhead' he is indeed.
From his days in college, where he fights 'Out Of Context' classical architecture copying system.
To his initial career, after his brilliant(but continuously frustrated) mentor Henry Cameroon fades away.
Then through his own architecture consultancy.

Those wishing to see him destroyed range from intelligent but society driven Peter Keating.
Always looking towards others, either for career advise, or design solutions; in essence for self-esteem.
Therefore he was a selfless soul.

Attracted to Roark is immensely beautiful Dominique Francon.
She worships greatness embodied in his being, and in the designs of his buildings.
But the 'malevolent universe' premise makes her hate him. Precisely for his greatness.
For she believes that his creations will be used by the likes of Keating and Toohey, for his own destruction.
Therefore, she too works for taking away his projects.

This brings us to Toohey, the true anti-thesis of Roark.
A critique of architecture, whose ultimate aim in essence is to enshrine mediocrity.
And make world impossible for Roarks. Social and charitable institutions being his means.

This is no doubt a great book.
But flash Act III, Enter Gail Wynand, and it rises to the realm of spectacular.
Occasionaly we do see genuine greatness around, piercing like rocket to the top.
And then, like Nietzsche's Übermensch, they conclude that they have to control the masses; or else masses shall destroy you.
Shahrukh Khan in real life, and Meghna Mathur from movie 'Fashion' come to mind.
Gail Wynand creates the system, where Toohey and Dominique write articles in his newspaper.
Peter Keating develops his estates.
Also, he takes Best minds, and forces them to betray their ideals.
Ends up realizing in the climax, he had sanctioned every other man to control him long ago...!

But Roark is above all.
His love of Architecture transcending all adversities.
He creates Heller house through his conviction for organic design, growing from a cliff top.
There is tireless endeavor in designing Enright's building.
Stoddard temple for exalted soul.
Therefore he was selfish, and rationally so in the true sense of the word.

Have you been too clouded in soulless literary verbiage?
Got entangled in contemporary cultural maze?
Lost Heroes to anti-heroes?
Get ready for Renaissance...
To be dazzled by the spark thats silently enlightening at a scale unprecedented, AYN RAND.