• The Fountainhead

  • By: Ayn Rand
  • Narrated by: Christopher Hurt
  • Length: 32 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (13,629 ratings)

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The Fountainhead  By  cover art

The Fountainhead

By: Ayn Rand
Narrated by: Christopher Hurt
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Publisher's summary

One of the 20th century's most challenging novels of ideas, The Fountainhead champions the cause of individualism through the story of a gifted young architect who defies the tyranny of conventional public opinion. The struggle for personal integrity in a world that values conformity above creativity is powerfully illustrated through three characters: Howard Roarke, the genius who is resented because he creates purely for the delight of his own work and on no other terms; Gail Wynand, the newspaper mogul and self-made millionaire whose power was bought by sacrificing his ideals to the lowest common denominator of public taste; and Dominique Francon, the devastating beauty whose desperate search for meaning has been twisted, through despair, into a quest to destroy the single object of her desire: Howard Roarke. Dramatic, poetic, and demanding, The Fountainhead remains one of the towering books on the contemporary intellectual scene.
©1943 The Bobbs-Merrill Company; 1968 Ayn Rand; 1993 Leonard Peikoff (P)1994 Blackstone Audio Inc.

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." ( New York Times Book Review)

What listeners say about The Fountainhead

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10,192
  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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Performance
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8,564
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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108 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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!

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93 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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83 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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37 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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?

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35 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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31 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

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!!!!!

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27 people found this helpful