Fahrenheit 451 in Pick-a-Shelf

Feb 13, 2014 Rebekah rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: genre-classics, genre-fantasy, genre-literature, genre-novels, genre-science-fiction, genre-science-fiction-dystopia, genre-fiction, nbrc-bom-br, bookgirls

Interesting critique of anti-intellectualism, technology addiction, violence, hedonism, capitalism, and war, but felt a bit heavy handed and preachy at times! This is a classic dystopian novel, and the themes presented are still scarily relevant (if not even more so with reality television, smart phones, etc) today as when it was originally published! However, things move very quickly and I got the impression sometimes that Bradbury was being a little Old Man "Get off my lawn!" in his approach. ...more

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May 08, 2011 Tien rated it liked it

Shelves: science-fiction, dystopia

... because books make you a revolutionary.

Books are illegal in this particular universe (*shudders*) and the enforcers are called firemen because they'd destroy the books by setting them (and their surrounding) on fire.

In this novel, our protagonist, Guy Montag (a firemen), started to question the way things are. It appears that he has been half asleep; he couldn't even remember how he met his wife! But, something prodded his mind to the 'on' position and he could not, would not, turn it off. P ...more

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May 04, 2015 Catsalive rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015

04/05/15

A fast, enjoyable, emotive read. I'm sure it was a sensation in the 50s & really worrying in the 60s. For me, it faded a bit into all the other dystopian, post-apocalypta that I've read over the years, but it was still worth the effort.

I kept thinking what an idiot Montag was as he let his pride & anger overcome sense, but if he hadn't done it he wouldn't have survived the war. I also kept wondering when this war was going to manifest & blow all their worries to smithereens - I got my an 04/05/15

A fast, enjoyable, emotive read. I'm sure it was a sensation in the 50s & really worrying in the 60s. For me, it faded a bit into all the other dystopian, post-apocalypta that I've read over the years, but it was still worth the effort.

I kept thinking what an idiot Montag was as he let his pride & anger overcome sense, but if he hadn't done it he wouldn't have survived the war. I also kept wondering when this war was going to manifest & blow all their worries to smithereens - I got my answer.

I know I would go insane if I had to watch tele all the time just to get through the day. There's not much I can stand to watch. I hate all these so-called reality shows that clutter the airwaves.

As for censorship, well, it's always with us, particularly in America where some people are still trying to get evolution banned & creationism added to curricula. There are always people wanting to give people no education, limit information & keep the masses downtrodden & believing what they're told - religion is always there when the censorship cards are handed out. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.
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07/04/16
I've just finished this for the second time, before I send it on to someone else. I'm glad I re-read it as I picked up on more, & enjoyed it more, this time. How prophetic it is. I highly recommend reading the Afterword & Coda, where Bradbury talks about the sweet irony of his own books - and particularly 451 - being cut about & censored. This being the 50th anniversary edition, there's also a good interview with Bradbury at the end.

I must see Truffaut's 1966 movie, even tough it doesn't stay close enough to the story for Bradbury's liking. 'It's a good movie...", but how can in be Fahrenheit 451 without Clarisse, Faber & the Mechanical Hound. I see his point. There has been much talk of a remake that will stick to the storyline, first mooted in the mid-90s by Mel Gibson, but it has been put on the backburner a couple of times. I do hope it comes to fruition in the not too distant future. ...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Lorna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, classics

This book has a prophetic edge to it today as much as when it was written in 1953. It was interesting to think about the latest Nielsen statistics in relationship to this book. The message is about much more than censorship. I am always amazed at Bradbury's writing style. ...more

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Mar 12, 2011 Lindsay rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, z2011

A real look at what it is to be human in this book, with an exploration of our flaws, doubts and need to fit in and follow the current values of society - no matter how flawed they may be. It also looks at how dangerous following this easy path, and the problems with censorship. A thought provoking read.

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