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ashleyserena's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Just… damn. This was a hard chew, but so important and relevant to society, even today. Especially today. I found myself holding my breath often, especially during Captain Beatty’s speech in Montag’s home, and the professor’s speech when Montag first visits his home. So many incredible quotes that’ll stay with me from this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and War
elfboy486's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is an amazing novel. Reading it for the first time, I am astounded at how prescient Bradbury was to the possible future of the world. With the number of book bans happening in the US right now and the numbing effect of constant screens screaming at us, the future depicted in this novel seems far too close for comfort.
I hate the idea of someone telling me what I can or cannot read. I have read books simply because someone in authority told me I shouldn't read it. Usually, those books were awful, and I regretted wasting my time, but that is not the point; I, and I alone, will decide what I will read.
I carry this over into my recommendations. I never tell someone to read or not read something. I say I would (or would not) recommend it. I liked it or I didn't like it for this and that reasons. Then, I let them decide.
This book I would highly recommend. It is a wonderfully thought-provoking story. There is a deeper philosophy in the story at which the author hints but doesn't explicitly state. Putting that philosophy into words/thoughts is the main exercise that I enjoyed.
I have fears of something like this coming to pass in the world. I like to think. I find it enjoyable and relaxing. The world depicted in this book, and often the world that I see around me now, is a world which has invested in a scheme to get people to stop thinking. Listen to the seashell radio. Interact with the characters on the video wall(s). Have fun. You don't need to think or have original ideas to have fun. Since this book espouses a different view of the world than ours, we find it distressing. It needs to go away. Obviously, that is best for society, because my view is best for society. We can't allow anything to exist that might be found offensive by someone.
I hate the idea of someone telling me what I can or cannot read. I have read books simply because someone in authority told me I shouldn't read it. Usually, those books were awful, and I regretted wasting my time, but that is not the point; I, and I alone, will decide what I will read.
I carry this over into my recommendations. I never tell someone to read or not read something. I say I would (or would not) recommend it. I liked it or I didn't like it for this and that reasons. Then, I let them decide.
This book I would highly recommend. It is a wonderfully thought-provoking story. There is a deeper philosophy in the story at which the author hints but doesn't explicitly state. Putting that philosophy into words/thoughts is the main exercise that I enjoyed.
I have fears of something like this coming to pass in the world. I like to think. I find it enjoyable and relaxing. The world depicted in this book, and often the world that I see around me now, is a world which has invested in a scheme to get people to stop thinking. Listen to the seashell radio. Interact with the characters on the video wall(s). Have fun. You don't need to think or have original ideas to have fun. Since this book espouses a different view of the world than ours, we find it distressing. It needs to go away. Obviously, that is best for society, because my view is best for society. We can't allow anything to exist that might be found offensive by someone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: War
Book Burningsunflower7skull's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
i thought it was okay. it was confusing for me but i liked the concept!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: War, Genocide, and Gaslighting
squishy_bee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It's a very quotable book, but I do find it lacks nuance sometimes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Car accident, War, and Murder
Minor: Child death
ellaticonstellation's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Mental illness, Slavery, War, Murder, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Blood, Bullying, Violence, and Torture
matonnhermann's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Mental illness
Moderate: War, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Minor: Murder
joshkiba13's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I decided to reread this since my first go around with it was at 13 or 14 years old. It's even quite possible that in middle school I was given one of those censored school versions Mr. Bradbury despised so. This time around I was floored by a lot of his prose; reading the narration felt akin to reading poetry. He masterfully utilized defamiliarizarion to bring the reader's understanding to light in fresh and unique ways.
I found this not to just be a fictional commentary on the censorship of books, but it was also a warning about the influence of technology and media. Bradbury feared a time when people sat together, unaware of each other's existence because of the "Seashell radios" in their ears, or the parlor TV walls yelling nonsense at them. Not too far off from today.
The version I checked out from the library also had some really interesting background and afterwords from Mr. Bradbury, which was really interesting to read. He included a scene or two from the play of the same name, giving a bit more background on the characters of Beatty and Clarisse.
I found this not to just be a fictional commentary on the censorship of books, but it was also a warning about the influence of technology and media. Bradbury feared a time when people sat together, unaware of each other's existence because of the "Seashell radios" in their ears, or the parlor TV walls yelling nonsense at them. Not too far off from today.
The version I checked out from the library also had some really interesting background and afterwords from Mr. Bradbury, which was really interesting to read. He included a scene or two from the play of the same name, giving a bit more background on the characters of Beatty and Clarisse.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and War
awesome_archaeology's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I don’t agree with Bradbury’s views on how “minorities” contribute to censorship. I also don’t agree that his sentiment that the best remedy for contemporary social problems is to revere, romanticize, and revert to past social norms. All of this being said, Fahrenheit 451 is an amazing dystopian novel that focuses on how the censorship of information is used to control a population. Not only books are subjected to the censorship of the “firemen”. Individuals looking to enjoy independence pursuits like nature hikes or collecting butterflies are, at the very least, looked at with suspicion for their “antisocial behavior”. At worst, they are apparently killed under mysterious circumstances. The writing style also feels harsh in its descriptions but strangely appropriate for the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Drug abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
maryellen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Death
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: War
manatad's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
After revisiting this book since I read it for the first time 13 years ago, I think I can see why it didn't leave a very big impression on me, especially compared to the other dystopian novels I had read around the same time, Brave New World and 1984 (the latter I had also revisited last year). Fahrenheit 451 certainly does describe a few interesting and relevant observations about people's shortening attention spans and resistance to confronting challenging or uncomfortable topics, but I don't agree with the whole "books good, TV bad" sentiment that is strongly expressed throughout the novel. And while its warning message regarding censorship was undeniably relevant at the time when it was written, I'm not sure that it still holds up in the context of today's world. I guess some say now that it's more of a warning against political correctness, but even that interpretation feels like sort of a cop-out to me.
My favorite thing about the novel is actually Ray Bradbury's writing style. I found his imaginative use of simile to be quite wonderful, and I did sense a feeling of great passion from the book in general. I think the short length of the novel is appropriate too, because the prose would very likely have worn out its charm if I had to read 300 pages or more of it.
There's not much else I can say about such a famous book that hasn't already been said a hundred times before. Overall, I think it is an enjoyable read, and quick, so there is no reason for anybody who is interested to not to read this classic.
My favorite thing about the novel is actually Ray Bradbury's writing style. I found his imaginative use of simile to be quite wonderful, and I did sense a feeling of great passion from the book in general. I think the short length of the novel is appropriate too, because the prose would very likely have worn out its charm if I had to read 300 pages or more of it.
There's not much else I can say about such a famous book that hasn't already been said a hundred times before. Overall, I think it is an enjoyable read, and quick, so there is no reason for anybody who is interested to not to read this classic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, War, and Car accident