Ayn Rand, born on the 2nd of February 1905, was educated in grew up in Russia, before moving to the USA in 1926. She became a screenwriter in Hollywood and even had a play produced for Broadway, but she would become most famous for her novels. In 1943 her novel “The Fountainhead” marked her first major success and made her famous. As well as being a great writer, Rand is well remembered for her political beliefs, founding the philosophy of objectivism and if you read her works, her beliefs are something of a recurrent theme.

The Fountainhead
Published in 1943, “The Fountainhead” was Rand’s first major literary success and tells the story of Howard Roark, a keen student of architecture who is expelled from his University, the Stanton Institute of Technology. He chooses to enter the workplace in New York City, but soon discovers that he does not have the opportunity to fully utilise his creativity and that others around him achieve greater recognition even though they are less original. He never compromises his vision and creativity despite suffering a series of tough turns- the narrative within the book has a great plot in its own right, but the underlying message and the virtues of Roark himself make the book a fantastic read.

Atlas Shrugged
The final novel that Ayn Rand published was called “Atlas Shrugged” and tells the story of Dagny Taggart, the executive of a railroad company originally started by her grandfather. However economic conditions are tough and she also has to counter the inept decision making of her brother James if the rail road company is ever to survive. However capable businessmen are disappearing across the country under disturbing circumstances as the government confiscates the achievements of society’s innovative members. Rand’s exploration of this anti-capitalist world that she has created is gripping, and like “The Fountainhead”, she uses the book as a means of explaining and channelling her own beliefs.

There are other books that Ayn Rand has written that are also well worth a read, but these two are arguably her most famous and best.