Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Guy Montag was a fireman whose job it was to start fires …
The system was simple. Everyone understood it. Books were for burning … along with the houses in which they were hidden.
Guy Montag enjoyed his job. He had been a fireman for ten years, and he had never questioned the pleasure of the midnight runs nor the joy of watching pages consumed by flames … never questioned anything until he met a seventeen-year-old girl who told him of a past when people were not afraid.
Then he met a professor who told him of a future in which people could think … and Guy Montag suddenly realized what he had to do!
My Thoughts;
This book is absolutely wonderful. I picked it up off the shelf as I wandered around my local Waterstones with my son. I’d heard about it and knew it was about a future where books were banned and burned. I loved the concept as I can’t imagine that world, so to read about it intrigued me.
At first, when I started reading I found it difficult as the prose was not written in a way I was used to. I couldn’t read it at the speed I could read other books. I had to slow down to understand the words, the world and the situation. It annoyed me, that such a small book should take me so long to read, but I soon adjusted to the world and the language of Montag and his thoughts. The strangeness of the world in which he inhabited. A world, that written over 60 years ago, is scarily close to a truth that could be seen reading this book. And that is what I love about it. The truths within the pages. If you read this book now as the world is turning digital, you will see a glimmer of what could be.
You will also see that those of us who love books will never die.
It’s a confusing and liberating time for Montag and a wonderful experience to read. I’m so glad that this book I read in paper format in my hands.
You can find me on Goodreads Here.
This post is part of theΒ A to Z Blogging Challenge.Β
anna@herding cats & burning soup says
Oh it’s been over a decade since I read that one. Glad you enjoyed it! And you were able to read it in paper. Sometimes that really makes an experience π
Happy A to Z-ing!
~Anna
herding cats & burning soup.
Rebecca Bradley says
You’re right Anna, reading it in paper was lovely. Thanks for stopping by!
yasminselena says
I’ve never read this! I read his shorts in my teens and loved them. The man was special. I should add him back on my reading list. Little bit of trivia for you, he’s Robert Smith’s (The Cure) Dave author x
Rebecca Bradley says
Interesting trivia Yasmin! Thank you. It’s the first I’ve read by him and now have another on my TBR list.
yasminselena says
Damn my Kindle Fire! Sorry I meant fave author but this silly device altered it, but I know you twigged what I meant π
yasminselena says
P.S. You might already know this, but there was a movie made from the book starring Julie Christie in the 1960s x
Rebecca Bradley says
I didn’t know about the movie. Thanks Yasmin. I might look it up!
readingwritingandriesling says
Bradbury has written some great stories,one day I might revisit them π
Rebecca Bradley says
I loved this and another of his is now on my TBR list.
Elle Turner says
This is one of my favourite books, Rebecca. It’s a while since I’ve read it, but I loved it. π xx
Rebecca Bradley says
I seem to be the only person who hasn’t read it. Though I’m so glad I have now π
D.A.Cairns says
This book is on my exclusive ‘to read’ list. The way you write about it makes me even keener to read it. I’m a big fan of classical prose: fancy words and dense sentences. Is that what it’s like? Can’t wait to get into it.
Rebecca Bradley says
It is like that but old style as it was written 60 years ago but depicting the future. It’s an interesting read. If you read it I’d love to know what you think.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – Oh, this is a classic novel! Such a fine and chilling depiction of that society, and I think Bradbury does the characters quite well. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. And yes, books and book lovers have survived and are thriving.
Rebecca Bradley says
I’m so glad this is still fiction and Bradbury’s novel wasn’t quite what the world turned out to be.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
It’s been years since I read it, but Bradbury always crafts an intriguing tale.
Rebecca Bradley says
I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to read it!
Maggie Thom says
I’ve never read this one but will add it to my TBR. It sounds very interesting and intriguing that he had an inkling of where we’re headed.
Rebecca Bradley says
Bearing in mind he wrote it 60 years ago it’s stunning. It’s definitely one to be on the TBR pile π
Maggie Thom says
How cool to have his book last the test of time. π
Elizabeth Hein says
I read this book in high school and loved it, but I reread it as an adult and loved it even more. The relevance of Bradbury’s theme is chilling. Thanks for highlighting it today.
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s really chilling isn’t it? I wish we’d read it in school. I feel I’ve missed out.
Jacqui Murray says
One of the classics. Loved reading your review.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Jacqui. I now want to read more by him.
chrisb-jwordsandimages says
A real classic. Awful to burn books anyway!
Rebecca Bradley says
Yes. Sad to think it does happen.
nancyrae4 says
When Fahrenheit was first published it caused a huge stir. I was young when I read it and now, because of your review, I’ll read it again with a new perspective and an adult’s understanding of the history of tyranny. Ray Bradbury is a fantastic author and even if you are not a science-fiction fan remember he wrote his novels when SF was not only stellar adventure, it was provocative literature.
Prashant C. Trikannad says
I read this book a long time ago and at the time I remember thinking if Bradbury was alluding to the arbitrary banning of books that is as prevalent today as it was back then. I agree, it is a wonderful novel.
MarinaSofia says
This was one of the seminal books of my youth. It really marked me profoundly for its subject matter, I suppose because I was growing up in a country where certain books/films/work of art were regularly banned or censored. But it is also extremely well written. Glad you ‘met’ it and enjoyed it!