Reviews with content warning for Murder - Fahrenheit 451

"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 (

Clarisse or her family members come to mind: intriguing characters but removed from the narrative already shortly after their first appearance

), and this can certainly create confusion in the narrative rhythm.
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 (

memorizing every book in existence in order to keep remembering is not a realistic solution, and given the subject matter of the work, the problem presented should be given at least a plausible solution

).

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.

Content Warnings

parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition

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dark 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

not as clever as I thought it was when I read it in 9th grade. Ray Bradbury is a pretty good spec fic writer, but this book is much more mood, and sentiment, than any real political heft like 1984 has.

Content Warnings

keepsleep's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

annajaunzema's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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

4.5

Content Warnings

gellyreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark slow-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 feel so conflicted about this book after teaching it. This is my 3rd time, and while I can see how the students are grappling with the lack of a government, and how that could empower the story more, I also see the absolute detail and restraint Bradbury puts throughout this. Although the ending is fairly anti-climatic and unrealistic.

Content Warnings

tarines316's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book is a very interesting representation of censorship that parallels attitudes and actions seen during the Nazi book burnings

Content Warnings

pich's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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

3.25

(3.25 leaning towards 3.5 stars)
i really enjoyed this book, and i think it was the writing style that really pulled it all together. it created a nice atmosphere and mood, yet didn’t unnecessarily stretch out the plot/length of the book. i would’ve went in depth with symbolism and whatnot, but i felt it was enjoyable as just a simple read.

Content Warnings

agatha_hopkins's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

Wow! This book really surprised me. When I first read this book sometime in upper elementary or middle school, I didn't really understand it for what it was. I couldn't see through a lot of the flowery language and metaphors (a warning for those who struggle with this). However, now that I'm a bit older, I can appreciate it for all that it is.

It's ironic that this book about banning and burning books is a banned book itself, but I bet the reasons why are because of the use of profanity and the

ripping out of pages of the Bible by Montag

.

I would recommend this to pretty much anyone as long as they are mature.

Previous rating: 4.5

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