Ray Bradbury: Fahrenheit 451 (Hardcover, 2007, Simon & Schuster)
Hardcover, 190 pages
English language
Published Nov. 12, 2007 by Simon & Schuster.
Celebrate this timeless classic with this exclusive commemorative edition featuring a new introduction by the author and a message that is more relevant today than when it was published.
Since the late 1940s, Ray Bradbury has been revered for his works of science fiction and fantasy. With more than five million copies in print, Fahrenheit 451—originally published in 1953—remains his most acclaimed work.
The story takes place in a bleak, hedonistic future where ideas are illegal and thinking is discouraged as people pursue lives of mindless happiness. In this world, firemen don’t put out fires—they start them—specifically, to any home containing that most forbidden of possessions: the printed book.
Fireman Guy Montag enjoys his work. But his pleasure turns to ash when a free-thinking young neighbour kindles his imagination, and he discovered “that books are flesh and blood ideas and cry out silently when put to the torch.” When the …
Celebrate this timeless classic with this exclusive commemorative edition featuring a new introduction by the author and a message that is more relevant today than when it was published.
Since the late 1940s, Ray Bradbury has been revered for his works of science fiction and fantasy. With more than five million copies in print, Fahrenheit 451—originally published in 1953—remains his most acclaimed work.
The story takes place in a bleak, hedonistic future where ideas are illegal and thinking is discouraged as people pursue lives of mindless happiness. In this world, firemen don’t put out fires—they start them—specifically, to any home containing that most forbidden of possessions: the printed book.
Fireman Guy Montag enjoys his work. But his pleasure turns to ash when a free-thinking young neighbour kindles his imagination, and he discovered “that books are flesh and blood ideas and cry out silently when put to the torch.” When the woman vanishes, Montag starts smuggling home that which he would destroy, and begins an irrevocable—and dangerous—journey down the long path to freedom. —front flap
I actually think this had good pacing except for the end, which felt maybe a bit rushed. But anyway go slay Montag, professional DIPPER of capitalism and fascism and whatever else was in there
There are so many quotes that I have taken away from this book and that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I think one of the main (or, most impactful) ones is 'if you drown, at least die knowing you were heading for shore' - such a beautiful way of saying die doing what's right. It reminds me of the quote from Stéphane Charbonnier who stated, 'I'd rather die standing than live on my knees' (he was later killed by Islamic terrorists who did not agree with the viewpoints he published). I know that many people reading this review might argue that I should have read this book earlier in my life (and they're likely right) but I want to attempt to rebut this by saying that I think, if I were to read Fahrenheit 451 at any younger age, I might not have been …
There are so many quotes that I have taken away from this book and that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I think one of the main (or, most impactful) ones is 'if you drown, at least die knowing you were heading for shore' - such a beautiful way of saying die doing what's right. It reminds me of the quote from Stéphane Charbonnier who stated, 'I'd rather die standing than live on my knees' (he was later killed by Islamic terrorists who did not agree with the viewpoints he published). I know that many people reading this review might argue that I should have read this book earlier in my life (and they're likely right) but I want to attempt to rebut this by saying that I think, if I were to read Fahrenheit 451 at any younger age, I might not have been able to take away as much as I did reading it this time. I'm currently 19 years old, though Fahrenheit was actually one of the first books I ever purchased. It had a beautiful animated cover and came along with Brave New World (which had 3D glasses tucked behind the first page so that you could view the cover image from a different perspective); whilst I would have been able to read both books in my youth, I'm somewhat glad I didn't as I worry I might have ruined them, spoilt them for myself. F451 made me feel so electric with every single word, page, and character. With every single location, event, and detail. It took a little time getting used to the writing style but once I was into it, I was completely in. Sidenote, the detail of the vent in Montag's house was wonderfully done and felt so suspenseful.
'Stuff your eyes with wonder.'
