Fahrenheit 451 is a 1953 dystopian novel by American writer Ray Bradbury. Often regarded as one of his best works, the novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found. The book's tagline explains the title as "'the temperature at which book paper catches fire, and burns": the autoignition temperature of paper. The lead character, Guy Montag, is a fireman who becomes disillusioned with his role of censoring literature and destroying knowledge, eventually quitting his job and committing himself to the preservation of literary and cultural writings.
The novel has been the subject of interpretations focusing on the historical role of book burning in suppressing dissenting ideas for change. In a 1956 radio interview, Bradbury said that he wrote Fahrenheit 451 because of his concerns at the time (during the McCarthy era) about the threat of book burning in the United States. …
Fahrenheit 451 is a 1953 dystopian novel by American writer Ray Bradbury. Often regarded as one of his best works, the novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found. The book's tagline explains the title as "'the temperature at which book paper catches fire, and burns": the autoignition temperature of paper. The lead character, Guy Montag, is a fireman who becomes disillusioned with his role of censoring literature and destroying knowledge, eventually quitting his job and committing himself to the preservation of literary and cultural writings.
The novel has been the subject of interpretations focusing on the historical role of book burning in suppressing dissenting ideas for change. In a 1956 radio interview, Bradbury said that he wrote Fahrenheit 451 because of his concerns at the time (during the McCarthy era) about the threat of book burning in the United States. In later years, he described the book as a commentary on how mass media reduces interest in reading literature.
In 1954, Fahrenheit 451 won the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature and the Commonwealth Club of California Gold Medal. It later won the Prometheus "Hall of Fame" Award in 1984 and a "Retro" Hugo Award, one of a limited number of Best Novel Retro Hugos ever given, in 2004. Bradbury was honored with a Spoken Word Grammy nomination for his 1976 audiobook version.
An excellent adaptation that places a different (but equally important) emphasis than the original book. In the book, the burnings that take place are described in exquisite detail, but in the graphic novel, this is represented visually. With so much less space taken up by this simple change, more emphasis is put on the toxic society and its impact on the main characters. It's chillingly similar to today and the lessons it imparts are both topical, informative and helpful.
Review of 'Fahrenheit 451 de Ray Bradbury' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
One of the best books I have ever read.
I am not going to write a long review.
I remember two scenes particularly.
One, when Montag opens his mouth and the flying jets do the screaming for him.
Two, when, a book is burning, its visual similarities with a pigeon and its unfolded wings.
Ray Bradbury has exceptional and powerful capability of creating a meaningful scene. A dramatic scene.
Not only for the scenes I shall remember this book, I also have to remember it for its philosophical and creative value.
The concept of men becoming books and the layer of meaning it hides is of a tremendous value from all creative, dramatic and philosophical perspectives.
What irony that I read this book digitally, having it fed to me 400wpm. Fahrenheit's self-inflicted dystopia seems very close to our present of 'fake news' and celebrity babies dominating media while genocide is concurrently perpetrated. I always forget how poetic Bradbury is, how empty & full he can make you feel all at once. A warning and a comfort that we create the world around us, & that all ages have a beginning & an end.
How can I write a review for Fahrenheit 451, a book which has meant so much to me? How can I say some brilliant thing which will exhort you to read it? Reread it? May I tell you that I have extra copies of this book so that I may lend or give them should I find someone who has not read it but is willing to? Can I relate in a brief sentence the dream I had in which I read this book in response to a society no longer reading any book which lasted longer than a page? I have been inspired and struck with urgency in every rereading of Fahrenheit 451. I see in the dystopian society of Ray Bradbury's envisioning a dreadful shadow of my own generation, and it frightens me, so I read the book again and it gives me hope to counter …
How can I write a review for Fahrenheit 451, a book which has meant so much to me? How can I say some brilliant thing which will exhort you to read it? Reread it? May I tell you that I have extra copies of this book so that I may lend or give them should I find someone who has not read it but is willing to? Can I relate in a brief sentence the dream I had in which I read this book in response to a society no longer reading any book which lasted longer than a page? I have been inspired and struck with urgency in every rereading of Fahrenheit 451. I see in the dystopian society of Ray Bradbury's envisioning a dreadful shadow of my own generation, and it frightens me, so I read the book again and it gives me hope to counter the fear. Among all the books I have read, this is my first recommended, among my most passionately praised as genius. I urge you, now, this very moment, take this book from a shelf - buy it, borrow it, come to me and I will lend it you - and read it, drink it in. If you've read it before, reread it. So much worth is contained in these few pages, it can do you no harm to invite this book to touch your life for the first or hundredth time.
not as clever as I thought it was when I read it in 9th grade. Ray Bradbury is a pretty good spec fic writer, but this book is much more mood, and sentiment, than any real political heft like 1984 has.
not as clever as I thought it was when I read it in 9th grade. Ray Bradbury is a pretty good spec fic writer, but this book is much more mood, and sentiment, than any real political heft like 1984 has.
I’m beginning to suspect Mr Bradbury had a time machine after all. How portentous Fahrenheit 451 is of many of the aspects of our modern society. Indeed, the new HTTP code for legally restricted pages (eg. censorship or government-mandated blocked access) is 451 in honour of the book. Watching mindless TV. The dumbing down of the news. Even the mechanical hound is something not too far off current technology.
The root of the censorship is the desire to not offend anyone, meaning people stop speaking their minds. You can’t please everyone but that’s what the Americans of this world tried to do. So much was censored because it upset this group or that group. We do learn from reading differing opinions, from reading work that may be problematic. If we are never exposed to these things, how do we work out for ourselves what we really believe?
I do think …
I’m beginning to suspect Mr Bradbury had a time machine after all. How portentous Fahrenheit 451 is of many of the aspects of our modern society. Indeed, the new HTTP code for legally restricted pages (eg. censorship or government-mandated blocked access) is 451 in honour of the book. Watching mindless TV. The dumbing down of the news. Even the mechanical hound is something not too far off current technology.
The root of the censorship is the desire to not offend anyone, meaning people stop speaking their minds. You can’t please everyone but that’s what the Americans of this world tried to do. So much was censored because it upset this group or that group. We do learn from reading differing opinions, from reading work that may be problematic. If we are never exposed to these things, how do we work out for ourselves what we really believe?
I do think there’s a lot of tiptoeing around these days, maybe not so much in book topics, but definitely on the internet in certain circles. There should be room for freedom of speech as long as no one is forcing it down your throat. Freedom to choose what to read should be more important than freedom to never be offended. Actually, I think many of us secretly like a good rant, what if we stopped having anything to rant about? I’m not convinced humans could cope in a utopia, we’d only mess it up.
There’s an anti-war message as well as anti-censorship and a nod to the traditions of storytelling in the intellectuals that hold onto the great works in their heads. Stories will never die, unless we wipe ourselves out, that is.
It’s clear that Fahrenheit 451 originally started out as separate stories as the narrative flow isn’t cohesive enough. I enjoyed each part by itself and there is so much that is spot on, but I’m not convinced it needed to be turned into a novel. I'm looking forward to reading some of Bradbury's short stories, as I imagine that is his more natural storytelling form.
I have now read 1984, brave new world and Fahrenheit 451 and all three books were very good in their own way. Fahrenheit like 1984 is pretty violent and oppressive, but on a smaller scale, in this book the story is focused on a few different characters in a small area.
I found it quite hard to get into the story as it takes a long time for things to be explained, once I was brought up to date I enjoyed the story.
The writing style is very interesting, it almost has a jazz free-flow style to it which makes you actually start reading faster and faster, I really enjoyed these bits as it makes things feel chaotic. Here is an example of what I mean...
Review of 'Fahrenheit 451 de Ray Bradbury' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Imagine a world where books are outlawed. The government dictates what you know. You receive information through television and radio. Technology is everywhere, and free thinking is suppressed. Fireman no longer put out fires, instead they start them, sent out on calls to burn the homes of people who have books.
Guy Montag is a fireman. He burns books for a living. His wife, Millie, lives in a world of television and sleeping pills, and can't (or won't) break away from her technology to really connect with the world, to think, to question. Guy slowly wonders what might be in all of these books being burned. The spark of knowledge takes hold. Montag's internal revolution begins, and opens his eyes to an entirely different world.
Imagine a world where books are outlawed. The government dictates what you know. You receive information through television and radio. Technology is everywhere, and free thinking is suppressed. Fireman no longer put out fires, instead they start them, sent out on calls to burn the homes of people who have books.
Guy Montag is a fireman. He burns books for a living. His wife, Millie, lives in a world of television and sleeping pills, and can't (or won't) break away from her technology to really connect with the world, to think, to question. Guy slowly wonders what might be in all of these books being burned. The spark of knowledge takes hold. Montag's internal revolution begins, and opens his eyes to an entirely different world.
Often thought to be a book about the dangers of government censorship, Bradbury says it is instead about how he felt television was destroying literature. I can see why Bradbury feared this, and I think it's important that we always balance our advancements in technology with open thought and discourse. Don't be afraid to speak your mind and argue. Don't be afraid to be wrong. Don't be afraid to learn.
This book an important reminder of how damaging censorship can be, and how important it is to challenge the status quo. Encourage people to read. Read things you don't like. Read things that make you think. Expand your horizons. Then put down your book, and talk about it with someone. Argue, or agree, but share your thoughts. Diversity of thought is vital to maintaining a strong society of advancement and innovation.
Review of 'Fahrenheit 451 de Ray Bradbury' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I finished this book back in August of 1996. The story was beautifully written and its message was absolutely terrifying. The protagonist lived in a world where people were not allowed to read books because their ideas caused too much confusion. I curled up in my bed that night and thanked whatever deity I was worshiping at that time that it was just a story.
I re-read it for a book club and I am now convinced that Ray Bradbury was quite the prescient mother****er. Don't worry about the book burning...I refuse to believe that will ever happen. Besides, like Dr. Faber says, the books are not the important thing - it's the ideas they represent. But read his description of how people live: everyone's got these "seashells" (like ear buds) in their ears at night so there's constant music and noise, everyone's walls are covered in giant televisions that …
I finished this book back in August of 1996. The story was beautifully written and its message was absolutely terrifying. The protagonist lived in a world where people were not allowed to read books because their ideas caused too much confusion. I curled up in my bed that night and thanked whatever deity I was worshiping at that time that it was just a story.
I re-read it for a book club and I am now convinced that Ray Bradbury was quite the prescient mother****er. Don't worry about the book burning...I refuse to believe that will ever happen. Besides, like Dr. Faber says, the books are not the important thing - it's the ideas they represent. But read his description of how people live: everyone's got these "seashells" (like ear buds) in their ears at night so there's constant music and noise, everyone's walls are covered in giant televisions that are constantly on showing the story of a family and all their drama (reality television), people don't want to think or be unhappy, so they're always popping pills, the teens are lost with no parental guidance driving over 100 mph and running people over for fun, there's a war going on but nobody wants to talk about it and act like it has nothing to do with them. The list is endless and SO #$%!ING DISTURBING. HOW IS THIS NOT A PERFECT DESCRIPTION OF OUR SOCIETY TODAY??? This book was written in 1953!!!
Anyway, great read (even with the bouts of depression it caused). Highly recommend it.
I have heard of Fahrenheit 451 but knew little about it so this story came out of left field and burnt my socks off. Why hadn't I read this book earlier? I have been reading a few dystopian novels but why was this so far down on my list? If you're like me and had not read this yet correct this wrong immediately.
Great story with a dreary future that had details slowly fed to you through the read. My only regret is that I wasn't able to read this book faster because it's a quick read and definitely a page ... burner.
Review of 'Fahrenheit 451 de Ray Bradbury' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Well this book was somewhat of a disappointment. It seemed so dated and heavy handed. The book was written in 1951 so here was America just coming out of WWII, a world that had seen the rise of fascist governments, the A bomb! the current cold war, McCarthyism... So I guess I can understand what "the future" might have felt like to a "thinking person". Face it, coming out of the war and the atrocities of mankind, the deprivations, people hungered for entertainment, good times, distractions. It might have felt that the real thinking, feeling, creative people were few and far between as America was distracted by buying houses and having children, buying cars and tv sets, plastic drinking glasses and bunk beds...
I feel, the real message here was not that books were "bad", not that television was bad and would rot your brain like the wife Mildred's, but …
Well this book was somewhat of a disappointment. It seemed so dated and heavy handed. The book was written in 1951 so here was America just coming out of WWII, a world that had seen the rise of fascist governments, the A bomb! the current cold war, McCarthyism... So I guess I can understand what "the future" might have felt like to a "thinking person". Face it, coming out of the war and the atrocities of mankind, the deprivations, people hungered for entertainment, good times, distractions. It might have felt that the real thinking, feeling, creative people were few and far between as America was distracted by buying houses and having children, buying cars and tv sets, plastic drinking glasses and bunk beds...
I feel, the real message here was not that books were "bad", not that television was bad and would rot your brain like the wife Mildred's, but that thoughts themselves were bad. Being a contemplative, introverted person meant perhaps you were questioning "why" when you should just go with the flow, let others in charge do the thinking and worrying. Reading books might lead one to think, to question, and thus be considered dangerous. If you consider McCarthyism and all the furor and blackballing that went in the early 50's it was almost as if you weren't even allowed to THINK about other forms of government, or question the status quo. Don't think like a commie for Christ's sake be happy you're in America, the greatest country in the world! go shopping, smoke a cigarette, relax. The war is over, forget about it.
I guess that idea is still relevant today. Consume, buy, be distracted by reality tv and smart phones. Reading books is boring. You can learn all you need to know on the internet! The IDEA still holds, I just think Mr. Bradbury went about telling his story in a clunky, one dimensional way. The character weren't believable or likable. The dialogue was lame. Why was there a war that destroyed the whole town in an instant? Did I miss something other than, yes, that can happen? This might be an important book. It's just not a great book!
This is a masterfully written book about the future and how people in the future will be 'trained' to use their mind. Or perhaps not. The story tells about the adventures of fireman Guy Montag who, at a certain moment in his life, starts thinking about his life, the life of the people around him, and about what he does for a living. Once he gets a grasp on that, everything around him changes.
It's an old book (published in 1953), and it is shocking to see how many things in this book are happening now, be it not to the extent that Mr. Bradbury described in his novel. If you are interested in the ways of how censorship is applied and also like a good book, I can recommend this book.
