Discussion of the fountainhead we choose one book per month to read and discuss philosophically as a group. Thanks for the postits great to hear from other objectivists. The charm city objectivist society ccos is a community group in baltimore, md dedicated to objectivism, the philosophy developed by philosopher and novelist ayn rand. Rory book discussions the fountainhead by ayn rand comments showing 126 of 26 26 new. Join an online reading and discussion group for ayn rands anthem or the fountainhead. Sep 30, 2009 as opposed to all those other book clubs that pop up here unofficially.
Please post your comments here, so we can keep this discussion all together. How human creativity remakes the world by david eagleman and anthony brandt. The story would have been faster paced, the characters more sharply limned, had whole episodes, repetitive and tautological, been eliminated. If youve never seen this before, sometimes a book will include five to ten questions at the end to prompt and guide discussions of the novel. We will meet once a month to discuss a current young adult novel at fountain bookstore the only requirement is that you have to purchase the book from us. Book questions and reading guides discussion guides for book clubs more than 500 printable reading guides for exceptional books. Book club discussion questions this page gives you a full list of all the books featured on this site, split between fiction and non fiction. Peter keating graduates with top honors and goes to work for a hotshot firm in new york, headed by a dude named guy francon best name ever, in our notsohumbleopinions. With characters that are gripping, settings that are par excellence, and dialogue that displays incredible depth, the book is a well rounded synthesis about the nature of individualism and what it means.
I discussed this book in a discussion forum and the topic of discussion was the main character of the story and his. Peter keating discussed on feburary, 2010 discussion text. The fountainhead is basically rands way of exploring threats to individualism more or less. The fountainhead had remained one of the most talked about books of the 20th century. Its definitely a good choice for a book club interested in reading the classics. The fountainhead ayn rand, 1943 penguin group usa 720 pp. The fountainhead, her second novel, has been more than five years in preparation. This may seem obvious, but it is the most important step, so it is worth stating. When his wife, norah, goes into labor in the middle of a snowstorm, david realizes that the birth will have to take place in his own office instead of at the hospital as planned. How to write discussion questions for your novel jordan. The fountainhead questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on the fountainhead. Roark embodies what rand believed to be the ideal man, and his struggle. It has provoked many controversies and has created a lot of waves among young people.
See a complete list of the characters in the fountainhead and indepth analyses of howard roark, ellsworth toohey, dominique francon, gail wynand, and peter keating. Analyze positive minor characters like steven mallory, austen heller, mike donnigan, or those of your choosing and explain how each is a variation on the books theme. We share an interest in studying and advocating objectivist ideas, as well as building a network of likeminded people. For january lets read and discuss the fountainhead. I organized a book club in second life, a free 3d virtual world, to discuss ayn rands novel the fountainhead. The fountainhead idolizes strength, austerity, and determination above all else, and violence progresses naturally from these virtues.
Lost book club lbc spoiler notice you may want to avoid this blog until you have finished reading this book one of the first books to discuss with the lost book club. Written in 1943, the fountainhead introduced new views on rands philosophy, objectivism. Its been such a relief in the last few weeks to discover that book club remains book club in spite of the lock down. The fountainhead, ayn rand the fountainhead is a 1943 novel by russianamerican author ayn rand, her first major literary success. It is a good idea to plan on finishing the book a little earlier than you might otherwise so that you have time to think about it and prepare before your book club meets. Feb 16, 2015 an 11yearold boy named michael boards a ship crossing the indian ocean and the suez canal. The philosophical arguments against liberalism, progressivism and altruism, as she portrays it, are astounding. Each month, we share top book picks from indie next and libraryreads, as well as the target book club title and pennies pick for costco. Discussion questions use our litlovers book club resources. This is a twopart book club series reading and discussing the 1943 novel the fountainhead by ayn rand. The official launch of book club central took place during the presidents program at the ala annual conference and exhibition in chicago on saturday, june 24, 2017.
This meeting is intended to be a small group discussion to allow robust exchange of views and ideas. Use the book and the resources in this guide to explore social hierarchy, friendship, and emotions. But of course, the big crux of this book is the whole idea of objectivism, which means, as ayn rand herself said, the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral. Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. Book club to go collection for book discussion groups. Having been previously warned of this somewhat insane, entirely selfish philosophy, i entered the book with an indisputable bias. Fiction titles adventures of huckleberry finn by mark twain the age of miracles by karen walker all quiet on the western front.
While the majority of the group did not enjoy reading this book, we did have a great discussion. However, when reading the first chapter of the book, i began to feel a connection with the characters. Remember, tonight is our first mince words with june, the official book club of this blog. Sounds like life of pi, but in this tall tale form the seas, parts of the story are retold in his adult. We will provide a great discussions, and occasional giveaways of advance copies of upcoming titles. The fountainhead takes place in the united states, mostly in new york city, during the 1920s and 1930s.
So get your dingdongs our official book club snack food and get your comments ready. Home book discussion groups libguides at american library. Is the group on a roll and ready to tackle that long thick book youve been talking about for months. Keep the mood of the club in mind when selecting the book.
Find resources for your book club, whether it meets in your living room or across cyberspace. My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of. If you were remaking the fountainhead today, what actors would you cast in the movie. Or, is the team struggling with the last few books youve read. Feb, 2010 i organized a book club in second life, a free 3d virtual world, to discuss ayn rands novel the fountainhead. Ayn rands the fountainhead and atlas shrugged changed my. Discussion of the fountainhead online philosophy club. David henry is a happily married orthopedic surgeon. The fountainhead by ayn rand reading guidebook club. Its your turn to moderatelead your book club s discussion. Ayn rand has a pretty definite and very controversial view of america in the 1920s and 1930s. Examine events, characters, and relationships in paper towns with the aid of discussion questions, projects, and activities from this literature guide for highschool students.
It has provoked many controversies and has created a lot of waves. An 11yearold boy named michael boards a ship crossing the indian ocean and the suez canal. In spite of this excess of verbiage, the novel is a. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Then do the same with such negative characters as lois cook, gus webb, and hopton stoddard. The fountainhead by ayn rand meet your next favorite book. This bets on pick is a gorgeous and generous portrait of the daily intimacies of marriage and the power of forgiveness, as two families try to stay afloat amid a resounding tragedy. How to discuss a book helpful discussion tips generic discussion questionsfiction and nonfiction readthinktalk a guided reading chart also consider these litlovers talking points to help get a discussion started for the fountainhead. The fountainhead questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on. Book summary the fountainhead takes place in the united states, mostly in new york city, during the 1920s and 1930s. The novels protagonist, howard roark, is an individualistic young architect who designs modernist buildings and refuses to compromise with an architectural establishment unwilling to accept innovation.
Book club central, or bcc, will bring a world of information to book lovers, book clubs, libraries, and anyone who wants to increase their enjoyment of reading. It has provoked many controversies and has created a. Like many of the characters in the novel, the dean has no sense of self or integrity, and consequently cannot create his own philosophy or beliefs. The fountainhead is a 1943 novel by russianamerican author ayn rand, her first major literary success. Do you agree with her view of america in this period. Our latest prize book is ask again, yes by mary beth keane, an extraordinary novel that is now available in paperback.
Also consider these litlovers talking points to help get a discussion started for the fountainhead. As opposed to all those other book clubs that pop up here unofficially. Kits may be checked out for 6 weeks and must be returned in their entirety. Every book page contains useful information for your book group including book club questions. Aug 08, 2019 the official launch of book club central took place during the presidents program at the ala annual conference and exhibition in chicago on saturday, june 24, 2017. Analyze positive minor characters like steven mallory, austen heller, mike donnigan, or those of your choosing and explain how each is a variation on the books. The characters, themes and the author herself provided excellent material for discussion. The deadline for your entries is wednesday, june 3rd at noon et. The fountainhead has been described in many ways, but at its core it is about the individual vs. A free book discussion series for students, open to all. It falls short, as do so many modern novels, in the apparent inability of the author or editor to be a ruthless surgeon. As the story opens, twentyoneyearold roark is expelled from the stanton institute of technology for insubordination.
Book club discussion guide the memory keepers daughter by kim edwards the year is 1964. Book questions and reading guidesdiscussion guides for book clubs more than 500 printable reading guides for exceptional books. Id be curious to see how many people read the book. Sep 30, 2009 like participating in a book club discussion while i have swine flu. Eastern time, and then you all come on over here and write what you thought of it. Today, im going to start a book club with a bit of a twist.
Like participating in a book club discussion while i have swine flu. The fountainhead summary back in the 1920s, two dudespeter keating and howard roarkfinish architecture school and embark on their careers. Each member or a team of 23 takes a card and answers the question. Often you see these in general fiction aimed toward book clubs, like these is my words. It has drama, as might be expected of the author of the play the night of january 16. Please use this thread to discuss the fountainhead by ayn rand. August 20 the moon is a harsh mistress by robert heinlen and the problem of political authority by michael huemer. The novel frowns upon pity and compassion and advocates the use of violence to advance human genius. Analyze positive minor characters like steven mallory, austen heller, mike donnigan, or those of your choosing and explain how each is a variation on the book s theme. Based on the themes and details in the book, what sort of life could we predict for dominique and roark after they get married in 1940. A couple weeks ago, i got a phone call from my sisterinlaw. I discussed this book in a discussion forum and the topic of discussion was the main character of the story and his existence in the real world.
Dominique embodies this viewpoint, constantly battling the world and welcoming the occasionally physical pain this battle inflicts. The fountainhead book club discussion not rated yet the fountainhead had remained one of the most talked about books of the 20th century. When the fountainhead was first published, ayn rands daringly original literary vision and her groundbreaking philosophy, objectivism, won immediate worldwide interest and acclaim. The fountainhead is a novel by ayn rand that was first published in 1943. One of the first books to discuss with the lost book club. At the bottom of the page you will also find useful links, all in one place.
This is a fiction book, so remember not to read this thread until you have. Delve deeper into the books making the charts, and get tips for keeping your reading group engaged. Most of the time the books will be used which is, by the way, the. Ayn rands the fountainhead and atlas shrugged changed my life.
The fountainhead studies the conflict between artistic genius and social convention, a theme ayn rand later developed into the idealistic philosophy knows as objectivism. This instant classic is the story of an intransigent young architect, his violent battle against conventional standards, and his explosive love affair with a beautiful woman who struggles to defeat him. It chronicles the struggles of the innovative architect howard roark in his effort to achieve success on his own terms. Choose one question at a time and toss it out to the group. The movie version of the fountainhead, gary cooper played howard roark. I went from a typical college liberal, to a diehard capitalist after reading these two books. Finding the right book club book is easy when you follow these helpful tips. Select a number of questions, write each on an index card, and distribute.
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