Kevin's Watch

I don't think this belongs in ThinkTank, because it's not really political.

Consider the fictional characters than most personify and typify Rand's ideals: Henry Roark, John Gault, Tony Soprano and maybe Michael Corelone (should Henry Hill, a real person but his life has been fictionalized, be included).

Couldn't this fit well into general lit? Whatever though.

I haven't gotten around to read Rand yet, but since we're a fantasy forum, I feel like mentioning Richard Cypher/Rahl and the Sword of Truth series is appropriate. Supposedly, these books (particularly Faith of the Fallen, which is supposed to be a lot like fountainhead) are examples of objectivist (sp?) fantasy, and terry Goodkind, the author, is apparently a big fan of Ayn Rand.

I'll admit, I'm not a big fan, but while I didn't love faith of the fallen, it was (when I read it) an extremely original work for the fantasy genre - 1/2 the plot had little to do with swords, war, or magic, and was instead focused on exploring the 'evil' empire's capital and stuff like that.

But richard is a very boring character to me, and kahlan is plain annoying, and the magical bondage queens were sorta weird.

EDIT-There are these torturers called mord sith who wear red leather (to hide blood), and use a magic stick called an agiel to hurt magical people.

I agree with the Goodkind bit. I dont particularly enjoy a lot of fantasy. All the magic incantations and magical creatures and such have always turned me off. However, I DO like the focus he puts on moral dilemas. Parituclarly on large scale.

Actually, there is a Rand thread. kevinswatch.ihugny.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5955

Also one at the Hangar:
ahirashangar.ihugny.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1225

Neither thread has gotten at all deep into the philosophy, but I'm always game.

Fountainhead is certainly good, exposing us to her ideas. And the architecture that's described is awesome!

But Atlas is far better. Basically, the same book, set in the railroad industry instead of the world of architecture. She is able to explain her ideas much better by the time she wrote Atlas. I happen to very strongly agree with much of what she says.

I really must read these damn books, just so I know what the hell Fist is always going on about.

--A

I suppose her ideas are fairly interesting, although I'm not sure the philosophy is particualrly ground breaking (or coherent imo). Her fiction is insanely dour, though.

<3 Rand.

Heh, I figured you'd pop in, Hier.