• The Fountainhead

  • By: Ayn Rand
  • Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
  • Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,404 ratings)

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The Fountainhead  By  cover art

The Fountainhead

By: Ayn Rand
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
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Publisher's summary

The Fountainhead studies the conflict between artistic genius and social convention, a theme Ayn Rand later developed into the idealistic philosophy knows as Objectivism. Rand's hero is Howard Roark, a brilliant young architect who won't compromise his integrity, especially in the unconventional buildings he designs. Roark is engaged in ideological warfare with a society that despises him, an architectural community that doesn't understand him, and a woman who loves him but wants to destroy him. His struggle raises questions about society's attitude toward revolutionaries. Since this book's publication in 1943, Rand's controversial ideas have made her one of the best-selling authors of all time.
©1943 The Bobbs-Merrill Company, renewed 1971 Ayn Rand (P)1994 Penguin-HighBridge Audio

Critic reviews

"Ayn Rand is a writer of great power. She has a subtle and ingenious mind and the capacity of writing brilliantly, beautifully, bitterly." (The New York Times)

What listeners say about The Fountainhead

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Be aware that this is an abridged version

Warning, this is an abridged version, the unabridged is 43 hrs, this is only eight hours.

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72 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • A
  • 01-24-13

My bad!!

OMG!!! I was asleep at the switch!! I bought an ABRIDGED edition of The Fountainhead. I swore I would never buy another abridged title and I was suckered in by the sale. I wasn't paying attention. No wonder I hated it. And what a waste of a sale credit!!!!!!

Two stars overall because it is abridged--and abridgements are an abomination. They chopped away 3/4 of the book.

Three stars for the story--one extra for what it could have been

Five stars for Edward Hermann because he is always five star.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Long Promise

About 4 years ago a friend told me to read this book - going to school and holding down a full time job - this wasn't possible - then I found Audibles - I loved this book - wanted more - it was such an insight....I want the next book, next books, I want to follow them through life.....

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11 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • MD
  • 03-17-12

One of the great books, but long.

What made the experience of listening to The Fountainhead the most enjoyable?

This book was narrated very well, with excellent clarity.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

The tone and pitch of his voice was perfect for the story. He really captured the essence of all the characters so well that I could not only picture what they looked like, but felt their attitude as well.

If you could take any character from The Fountainhead out to dinner, who would it be and why?

None of them, they are all completely dysfunctional.

Any additional comments?

I've been trying to read (finish) this book for years. Thanks to Audible, I've finally done it.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fountainhead

I waited too many years to tackle this book thinking it would be stuffy and difficult. It was neither. I sat up into the night listening to the rich and thoughtful story which was beautifully performed.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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America needs this book right now.

great book about how America should be. Unfortunately I believe in this day Howard Roark is losing

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Above my head I think

I love (my part) in a philosophical discussion. Maybe that's why I wasn't so into this book, but who am I to give bad ratings to such a classic?
I just didn't get this novel. Perhaps I just don't really like novels. I thought the characters were boring, melodramatic downers and I dunno. I'd like to have a discussion with someone who is educated and who wouldn't get mad at me for asking stupid questions about it

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Competence

This novel is about competence and the value of that to society. It is close to the same story as Atlas Shrugged, and I live that other title better. But would recommend both.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

great read

It's a great read for everyone, especially people who work in the fields or art and design. An eye opener.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great! Now I want to read the unabridged version!

What made the experience of listening to The Fountainhead the most enjoyable?

I was continuously astonished by the fact that this book was written by a woman in the 1940's, yet the entire story could take place in the new millennium from the viewpoint of modern men & women of our time. I am intrigued that Rand wisely chose the world of architecture to perfectly parallel the way men chose to reflect society's perceived desires, opinions and beliefs. She is an inspiration to me as a woman, who has allowed herself the freedom to think beyond the limitations of society's standards. I love her raw honesty of true human nature and the way she depicts how individuals chose their paths.

What other book might you compare The Fountainhead to and why?

I definitely want to read more Any Rand books. This is the first novel of this type that I have ever read. I can only compare the philosophical journey to Herman Hesse's "Siddhartha;" and my utter fascination with the author's ability to depict the characters of opposite gender with accurate and believable inner dialogues, with Arthur Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha."

Which character – as performed by Edward Herrmann – was your favorite?

He animated Gayle Wynan and Edward Toohey very well. His attempt at performing Dominique's voice was funny. He gave her a low-toned, smokey Stepford Wife voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The two separate moments when Toohey and Roark spoke of their philosophy on altruism. I could contemplate and listen to them over and over again.

Any additional comments?

I started reading the unabridged version but lack of free time was keeping me from making the progress that I wanted to make. I hesitantly chose the abridged version when I ordered this audio book to be time efficient, but now I wish that I had ordered the unabridged. I kept going to the book to see what I was missing in between. I will probably continue to read the unabridged version after all!

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1 person found this helpful