Classics · Literary
The Fountainhead
An uncompromising young architect refuses to design anything but what he believes in, even when it costs him commissions and friends. The novel sets him against a world of conformity and compromise.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1943
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 728
- Format
- Book 1 of 2 in The Fountainhead
Read this if you like long, polemical novels about individualism, whether you agree with them or not.
Skip this if you dislike lecturing, or want complex, believable characters, since many of them stand for ideas.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about The Fountainhead
- What is The Fountainhead about?
- An uncompromising young architect refuses to design anything but what he believes in, even when it costs him commissions and friends. The novel sets him against a world of conformity and compromise.
- Who should read The Fountainhead?
- Read it if you like long, polemical novels about individualism, whether you agree with them or not. Skip it if you dislike lecturing, or want complex, believable characters, since many of them stand for ideas.
- How long and how fast is The Fountainhead?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 728 pages, first published in 1943.
- Does The Fountainhead have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Sexual assault.
- Can I borrow The Fountainhead for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Fountainhead; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Fountainhead?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Atlas Shrugged, The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath.
Your shelf
Saved in this browser only. Open my shelf
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
Prices appear here as retailer feeds are connected. Where none is shown, check the store. Links open the store in a new tab.
Some store links, including Kobo, are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Library links are never affiliate links. How this works
Share this pick
Because you might love it
If you loved The Fountainhead
-
Atlas Shrugged
The author's even longer and more explicit statement of the same philosophy, as a dystopian thriller.
-
The Great Gatsby A short, elegant novel about ambition and image that is much more doubtful about its hero.
-
The Grapes of Wrath Offers a deeply different view of society, about collective struggle rather than the lone genius.
Classics
