11 Jan 11
Originally posted by techsouthWell it's not quite THAT simple as I recall. I read it years ago as a teenager, so my analysis is likely way off. I just remember that Roark, indeed all the characters, seemed to represent archetypes of people to Rand with Roark representing an ideal.
Wow. This is a 30 hour audio book.
I'll probably finish it now, but this is truly sad when self centeredness is elevated to a virtue in an epic length novel.
11 Jan 11
Originally posted by SleepyguyThis audio book started with a forward by Rand herself. At this point, I'm guessing that Roark is her alter-ego, and thus any criticism offered would bounce off her like it would bounce off Roark.
Well it's not quite THAT simple as I recall. I read it years ago as a teenager, so my analysis is likely way off. I just remember that Roark, indeed all the characters, seemed to represent archetypes of people to Rand with Roark representing an ideal.
She preemptively (at least for my reading) defended the fact that characters were not wholly realistic, but rather meant to illustrate an ideal. I see that as meaning even the bad characters show the ideal by contrasting it so perfectly.
Sadly, whatever inspiration would come from this seems like it could be done just as completely in about 1/3 the words. About the only only benefit of excruciating length would be to very carefully represent real characters with depth and complexity. If all she's drawing is caricatures, which she pretty much admits, she should behave like an artist drawing caricatures and churn this book out with broad, quick strokes so both her and her readers can move on to the next attractions.
I suppose when Dominque gives herself in marriage to a man she despises in order to punish herself because the world is not good enough for Roark, we're all supposed to be touched. Well, that's about as far as I've got now, and I really hope Rand packs some surprises in the second half of this book.
11 Jan 11
Originally posted by techsouthYou ain't seen epic length until you've tried to read Atlas Shrugged. Fountainhead was a pleasure to read in contrast. I never finished the former. I tried, I really did.
Wow. This is a 30 hour audio book.
I'll probably finish it now, but this is truly sad when self centeredness is elevated to a virtue in an epic length novel.
11 Jan 11
Originally posted by techsouthRoark is not her alter-ego. Roark, like Galt, is her romantic fantasy. She's represented by Domonique Francon and Dagny Taggart. I think.
This audio book started with a forward by Rand herself. At this point, I'm guessing that Roark is her alter-ego, and thus any criticism offered would bounce off her like it would bounce off Roark.
She preemptively (at least for my reading) defended the fact that characters were not wholly realistic, but rather meant to illustrate an ideal. I see that ...[text shortened]... I've got now, and I really hope Rand packs some surprises in the second half of this book.
11 Jan 11
Originally posted by AThousandYoungI had nearly the same experience in reverse. I never got around to AS because The Fountainhead was grueling enough. Who is John Galt? I'll never know.
Roark is not her alter-ego. Roark, like Galt, is her romantic fantasy. She's represented by Domonique Francon and Dagny Taggart. I think.
11 Jan 11
Originally posted by SleepyguyðŸ˜
Somehow the thought of Rand being required reading for you is amusing.
Yuck it up; I probably would have grown up to be a nice moderate Republican like sh76 if I hadn't been forced to read such crap extolling the virtues of complete selfishness. I almost became a Shaker because of it.
12 Jan 11
Originally posted by Bosse de NageI didn't take the post as being serious, who knows what Rands intentions were, these are excerpts from her journals, not as far as I can see anything intended for publication by her. It's a non-flyer, but a common tactic, rather than deal with the philosophy look for other things to attack, next we'll have some gossip about her relationship with Frank Connor. It doesn't detract from my previous comment at all about the clarity of her non-fiction which was intended for publication.
Do you agree with Ayn Rand on the subject of William Edward Hickman?
You blokes luv to wallow in the dirt, be my guest, but I'm not joining you.
12 Jan 11
Originally posted by shavixmirI come across Rand supporters now and again. Usually silver spoon kids and sociopathic misanthropes.
Except in the US, Ayn Rand and her theories are laughed at all over the world.
Nobody, except yanks, read her.
So basically the same kind of people as in the US, but they are less numerous.