Pakistani Readers discussion

Anyone interested in reading this? Its started off quite well, just about 25 pages in, and since its considered a masterpiece by many, I thought others may be interested..

I have been reading this for a while, 3oo pages or so. Go on, its absolutely worth it.

About a third done. The writing is really good in terms of powerful expression and rich language. The characterization is very different from any other book I've read..I care about the characters without really liking them, which is enough to make me want to turn the pages. It's one of its kind. It's hard to separate the story from the symbolism. It's worth reading, and definitely for any architects/aspiring architects. I'll never look at a building the same way after reading this book.

If you enjoyed Fountainhead, try Atlas Shrugged. Just as good, if not better!

will add to my list..writing in fountainhead is brilliant, but the characters self destructive behavior is becoming a bit tiresome. The unique thing is that the protagonist has the smallest role, and we get to know him through the others perceptions of him.

Oh my god, I remember reading Rand in highschool. I was on such a libertarian high for a year or so.

I finally finished reading it. Here are my thoughts.

This is an unusual book, very unique in its plot and characterization. It's a lengthy book, which makes it slow in places, but also allows the readers to get attached to the characters.
Rand is an intelligent author with an immense talent of playing with words and impacting the reader's psyche. It is in part a novel, and in part philosophy. Although the dialogue is very well written, at times the philosophical elements appeared a bit unnatural since it made all the characters seem like philosophers. They also seemed to become self-destructive at the cost of overthinking.
I really enjoyed the detail about architecture and the insight this book gives into the work that goes into creating a building, and also what it symbolizes. I look at downtown buildings in a different light now.
I found it interesting that the protagonist, Howard Roark is absent from most of the book, but instead we get to know him through other characters and their reactions to him. The philosophy is that of Objectivism, which is controversial and also very hard to agree with. I do agree with the part that one should be true to oneself and ones work and not worry about others opinions. I disagree with the part that altruism is, in fact selfishness, and people help others in order to feel superior. That being said, it is woven so naturally into the story, that one finds oneself intrigued and nearly convinced.