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Fahrenheit 451

Ray Bradbury

Start date: January 3, 2020

Finish date: January 30, 2020

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Aug 05, 2017 Rob Thompson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: radio, reviewed, audio, sci-fi, fiction

Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel by American writer Ray Bradbury, published in 1953. 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: "Fahrenheit 451 – the temperature at which book paper catches fire, and burns ..."

The novel has been the subject of interpretations focusing on the historical role of book burning in suppressing dissenting ideas. In a 1956 radio interview, Bradbury stated 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.

Fahrenheit 451 deals with serious problems of control of the masses by the media, the banning of books, and the suppression of the mind (with censorship). The major developments of Part One surround the degenerated future in which books and independent thinking are forbidden.

The novel is divided into three parts: "The Hearth and the Salamander", "The Sieve and the Sand", and "Burning Bright".

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Bradbury's implicit hope and faith in the common man by representing the life of a working-class fireman. Though Montag isn't a man of profound thought or speech, his transformation has occurred through his innate sense of morality and growing awareness of human dignity. Note, as well, the dual image of fire in its destructive and purifying functions. Although fire is destructive, it also warms; hence, the source of the title of Part One, "The Hearth and the Salamander." Hearth suggests home and the comforting aspect of fire — its ability to warm and cook. In ancient mythology, the salamander was a creature that could survive fire. Possibly Montag himself is represented in the salamander reference. His job dictates that he live in an environment of fire and destruction, but Montag realizes that the salamander is able to remove itself from fire — and survive.

Parts of the book are slightly dated, but it seems to have correctly predicted society and the way we sadly seem to be heading. In the final part of the book the Phoenix is mentioned. Society may rise from the ashes, but we never seem to learn from our mistakes. War, maybe to almost obliterate the human race once again until we again rise from the ashes only to repeat previous mistakes. But we are all distracted by our latest gadgets and endless mind trivia so that seems to make living bearable ... ...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Ash rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-read, movie-tv, dystopia-adult, 1000guardian, 0-hugo-nebula, books-about-books

What I liked about the book is that there is a message, which will definitely suit our or our next gen. People these days (esp children) are glued to TV all the time and have stopped reading books for pleasure. I have seen many kids who hate books. So what happens if there are no books at all? Everyone is deprived of books, because books are meant to be burnt. Houses holding books are burnt.

It was touching, especially for a person who has always loved books and loves hoarding them. I am very muc ...more

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Nov 01, 2025 Joe rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, classics, hugo-nominee, sci-fi, hugo-winner, apl, read-in-2025

Did not listen to the version read by Penn Badgley however this app is a poorly functional piece of trash and it’s the best I could do.

I’d like to re-read a physical version at some point, but instead I listened to this with wireless headphones buzzing in my ears like bees, just how Ray Bradbury would want it.

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