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Ideal
Ideal
Jan 13, 2026 3:32 PM

Author:Ayn Rand

Ideal

Originally conceived as a novel but then transformed into a play by Ayn Rand, Ideal is the story of beautiful but tormented actress Kay Gonda. Accused of murder, she is on the run, and she turns for help to six fans who have written letters to her, each telling her that she represents their ideal-a respectable family man, a farleft activist, a cynical artist, an evangelist, a playboy, and a lost soul. Each reacts to her plight in his own way, their reactions a glimpse into their secret selves and their true values. In the end their responses to her pleas give Kay the answers she has been seeking.

Ideal was written in 1934 as a novel, but Ayn Rand thought the theme of the piece would be better realized as a play and put the novel aside. Now, both versions of Ideal are available for the first time ever to the millions of Ayn Rand fans around the world, giving them a unique opportunity to explore the creative process of Rand as she wrote first a book, then a play, and the differences between the two.

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY LEONARD PEIKOFF

Reviews

The arrival of a never-before-seen Ayn Rand novel will thrill dedicated readers and is a true publishing event

—— Kara Welsh , Publishers Weekly

A poignant and beautifully atmospheric tale… A powerful tale of grief, hope, mystery and magic. Perfect for fans of Posie Graeme-Evans, Elizabeth Gifford, Lucy Atkins and Barbara Erskine and Rachel Hore

—— Lisa reads Books

Intriguing and haunting, with strong characters and a cleverly interwoven dual-time story

—— Random Things through my Letterbox

A strong and accomplished story of myths, folklore, legends, families and a unique take on grief...descriptive, flowing and evocative

—— Reflections of a Reader

Her writing is lovely: gentle and descriptive... [there are] some great twists and turns and an exciting climax... You won't want to stop reading

—— The Book Magpie

Engaging and absorbing read

—— Linda's Book Bag

A haunting tale with a fascinating historical background

—— Off-the-Shelf Books

[Galassi] writes with the fluency and authority of someone who has lived within the circles and scenes he typifies.

—— Claire Hazelton , Guardian

[A] smart, satirical debut.

—— Caroline Leeming , Sunday Express

Brimming with insider details…the book is a testament to the purity of the written word and the turmoil that can be required to get it on paper.

—— New Yorker

Galassi paints a lively portrait of the New York publishing scene

—— Emily Rhodes , Spectator

A witty tale of the book world, writers, muses and the vagaries of the intellectual mind.

—— Love Reading

Outré and witty

—— Madeleine Kingsley , Jewish Chronicle

This is a deft, shrewd, frequently anguished, occasionally hilarious investigation into the endless ways in which we make ourselves miserable

—— Sarah Crown , The Times Literary Supplement

With implacable wit and a dramatist’s sense of timing, Reza offers snapshots from the psyches of eighteen characters… The tone is wry, warm, and accepting

—— New Yorker

An addictive and intoxicating coming-of-age tale with a dark and serious edge

—— The Bookseller

Intense and emotionally charged . . . A fascinating cast and a relentless plot . . . Intriguing

—— The Bookseller

A brilliantly gripping and atmospheric novel of sudden revelations as memories surface . . . Characters are vivid and engaging, the plot is compelling and unpredictable and the mood is, in turn, humorous, romantic, magical, dangerous, frightening and haunting

—— Magpies

Stylishly written, highly engaging and utterly captivating, The Accident Season heralds the arrival of one the most original and striking voices in YA fiction for decades

—— Daisy Chain Book Reviews

A brilliant, eerie debut

—— Mumsnet

There’s a lot of buzz about this book, and I can see why. From the first chapter you’re immediately drawn in. There’s a sense of danger from the outset . . . This is an incredibly haunting debut and I’m looking forward to seeing more from Fowley-Doyle

—— Askews & Holts

Thrilling, exciting, twisted, engaging and unique. As a slightly darker book, the storyline keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and eager to read on . . . perfect for someone who enjoys riveting stories and is a must-read for any keen readers like myself

—— Bridie, 15 , Big Issue

Fowley-Doyle’s stunning debut novel weaves the temporal and the spiritual into a seamless reality, rich in emotional impact . . . Will cast its spell over older teens and adults alike

—— School Library Journal

A haunting and atmospheric coming of age story whose offbeat characters and lyrical prose style beguile the reader from the first page. An arresting & memorable debut

—— Peters Newsletter

The whole package: teenage angst (but of course), broken families, strong friendships, a sprinkle of romance and a lot of mystery

—— Star

An extremely cool and quirky science fiction adventure, stacked full of hilarious and fitting pop culture references. Cline has created a fast paced and engaging story using a perfect blend of humour, futuristic tech and video-game like action sequences.

—— Brit Book Boy

Ernest Cline is a genius in every sense of the word…This was truly wonderful, everything I had hoped it would be, and then heaps and heaps more.

—— Tea and Book Reviews

Release your inner nerd and rejoice!

—— The Fancy Octopus

Armada is a gamer’s fantasy come true.

—— Read at Midnight

thriller-like plotting…immensely readable

—— SFX

It’s a hoot, from beginning to end

—— Christoria

Literally everything I could ask for

—— Emma's Bookery

A highly rewarding journey…thoroughly enjoyable fiction.

—— SF Book

Armada is a journey towards emotional intelligence and understanding, a journey towards some questions answered, others posed – huge questions they are too. Armada’s a good ‘un.

—— Frost

A surprising thriller, a coming of age, space-fighting adventure which will thrill sci-fi fans and gamers alike.

—— Metro

It is often said that the best novels are those that don’t waste any time – the ones that grip the reader from the very first line. Armada does this better than perhaps any other book I’ve read.This book is a love-letter to the science fiction genre. It’s a concentrated shot of sci-fi nerdery that’s definitely worth experiencing.

—— One Giant Read

Armada is fun, so go enjoy it for the first time… or the second.

—— Geekdad
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