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elfboy486's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: War
Book Burningellaticonstellation's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Physical abuse, Mental illness, Slavery, War, Murder, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Blood, Bullying, Violence, and Torture
singalana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Drug abuse, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Violence, Child death, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, and War
te_ss_i's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, War, Toxic relationship, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Murder, Suicide attempt, Violence, Drug use, and Police brutality
lermaline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Drug use
Moderate: Drug use, Classism, Drug abuse, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Minor: War, Police brutality, and Mental illness
just_lily's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Murder
izypup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Violence, and Drug abuse
Minor: Toxic relationship, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Bullying, Abandonment, Car accident, Murder, Child death, and War
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Violence, Gaslighting, Grief, Police brutality, War, Suicide attempt, and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
akvolcano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
As for the book itself, I wish parts of the afterword was included in the book. I also wish that this book was longer….where it left off still feels like the backstory. I do enjoy the futuristic exploration! I also agree with placing high value on letting ourselves slowing down and giving us a chance to think and to feel. I would like to write down some quotes from this book!
I also find it ironic that this book has been banned on and off. I feel like it proves part of his point that it is more of so the thoughts and actions that happen after reading a book-that is more dangerous than the book itself. The power comes from people, books help with the process of preserving and sharing those ideas.
Overall, I am glad I finally read this book myself. I wouldn’t read it again, nor would I recommend it without heavy discussion, but it does paint a good picture. Oh and also-
Moderate: Colonisation, Death, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, Racism, Ableism, Blood, Car accident, Cursing, Police brutality, Violence, Bullying, Miscarriage, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Murder, Physical abuse, Grief, Abortion, Mass/school shootings, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Child death, Emotional abuse, War, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
night3aven's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
- Fahrenheit 451 - review
"Fahrenheit 451" is undoubtedly an excellent novel, and it is easy to see why it is considered one of the great classics of modern literature. However, while the work has a fascinating premise to say the least, it still has some flaws in its execution.
Bradbury's style is engaging and capable of capturing the reader's attention, thanks in part to his frequent use of rhetorical figures or narrative techniques such as stream-of-consciousness (which can be a bit over the top at times, though).
The author is able to make interesting reflections on various themes, such as the importance of reading and free expression, as well as education and teaching, while also highlighting the possible dangers of excessive dependence on technology and frivolous and unsubstantial means of entertainment, and also managing - implicitly - to highlight some of the problems present in the society of the time (focusing especially on the issue of marital problems and marriages established solely out of necessity).
The characterization of the characters is not well developed (also due to the eximious length of the work) but this nonetheless enhances the point Bradbury wants to make, a.k.a. the loss of identity and reason in a society where one is constantly addicted to entertainment and has no time for reflection. Some potentially interesting story-lines or characters, however, are dropped too quickly or unexpectedly (
The rather heavy presence of unrealistic elements (even though this is in fact a science fiction tale) may not always be appreciated by the reader: creative ideas such as the four-walled television set or the Mechanical Hound may even be interesting, however the final solution proposed to solve the problem of book burnings is certainly not the best one (
Overall, Ray Bradbury acts as a spokeperson for a rather profound theme that is open to many insights, approaching it in an original and compelling way but perhaps not always with the right approach; Fahrenheit 451 still asserts itself as a manifesto in honor of reading and literature, even if the goal and premise may sometimes seem better than the substance and content of the literary work itself.
Don't ask for guarantees. And don't look to be saved in any one thing, person, machine, or library. Do your own bit of saving, and if you drown, at least die knowing you were heading for shore.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Emotional abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, War, Alcohol, Drug use, and Police brutality