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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
singalana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Omia ajatuksia ja tuntemuksia oli hankalaa summata yhteen tämän kirjan lukemisen jälkeen. Luulen, että se pitääkö tästä kirjasta vai ei, riippuu paljon siitä mitä asioita kirjassa arvostaa.
Fahrenheit 451 on dystooppinen novelli tulevaisuudesta, missä kirjat on kielletty ja ihmiset pidetään tyytyväisenä viihteen avulla. Sodat ovat normaaleja ja ihmiset tekevät itsemurhia, mutta kukaan ei pysähdy miettimään ovatko he onnellisia. Päähenkilö Guy Montag kuuluu palomiehiin, joiden tehtävä on etsiä ja rankaista rikollisia: ihmisiä, joiden hallussa on kirjoja. Kirjat, sekä niitä hallussa pitäneen ihmisen talo poltetaan. Montag pitää työstään, kunnes eräänä päivänä nuori tyttö kysyy häneltä onko hän onnellinen.
On suorastaan hämmästyttävää miten paljon kirjan yhteiskunta muistuttaa maapallon nykytilaa: aivoja turruttavaa viihdettä, mekaanisia robottikoiria valvomassa lainrikkojia, kirjojen kieltämistä. Kuitenkin on sanottava, että kirjan sanoma on vaikuttavampi kuin toteutus. Jos pidät syväluotaavista hahmojen ja maailman kuvauksesta, saatat pettyä tämmän kirjan proosaan. Täytyy kuitenkin miettiä, onko tämä tarkoituksella: onko esimerkiksi Montagin hahmon tarkoitus toimia kehyksinä, joihin voimme asettaa itsemme? Kirjassa esitetään myös muutamia hyviä havaintoja esimerkiksi siitä, mitä ihminen jättää jälkeensä kuollessaan.
Valitettavasti olen itse sellainen lukija, että kaipaan hahmoilta hieman enemmän syvyyttä. Lisäksi olisin toivonut välillä hieman viipyilevämpää kerrontaa, etenkin kun esiteltiin tarinan kannalta tärkeitä konsepteja. Fahrenheit on kuitenkin nopealukuinen ja teemoiltaan tärkeä, joten suosittelen sitä kyllä lämpimästi kaikille.
Tämän painoksen kansi on graafisesti miellyttävä ja kuvaava, ja selkämyksen kuviointi on tehty muistuttamaan tulitikkulaatikon raapaisupintaa.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Drug abuse, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Violence, Child death, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, and War
lightthebeam's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-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? No
4.25
I really enjoyed this book. The author has such a unique writing style. It made the book have teeth in a sense, felt like you were being chewed up as the reader after some passages. Thought provoking- challenging and definitely something people should read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
rishankl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Fahrenheit 451: the temperature at which book paper burns. This book shows the story of Guy Montag, a fireman who burns books, but questions what books are, and what power do they hold? This is a book to never forget, as it captures a society where self-thought and indivuality are unnattainable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Death
arctic_benji's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.25
The writing style threw me off at times but after grappling with it for a few hours I've settled in. Ray Bradbury's writing definitely left a mark on me he has a fantastic way of disorienting you when plot relevant. I appreciate this massively as my introduction to dystopian classics with a shining meaning of the importance of books
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Child death and Car accident
jayisreading's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
2.5
Fahrenheit 451 seems to be one of those novels that is regularly assigned in classrooms in the United States. I was never assigned the novel, so it was interesting to approach it without forced analyses coloring my reading experience. I can see why it's such a popular novel to assign though: it's loaded with symbolism and the messages are graspable concepts to dissect.
That being said, like many dystopian novels written by white authors, I found myself a bit dissatisfied with the world Bradbury presented. Put simply, Bradbury presents a dystopian world that has always been a reality for those who have been colonized and, relatedly, in the context of the United States, people of color. Considering this, I don't think it's entirely correct to say that Bradbury predicted the future (other than wireless earphones and flatscreen televisions), which I'm sure people have stated since the exponential rise of book banning in the United States. Knowledge suppression and censorship have always been present. It's just that it wasn't impacting the demographic Bradbury feared would be targeted.
I also found other things disappointing about this novel. I felt the worldbuilding and character development lacked, which could have been addressed pretty easily if the novel was longer. (That being said, I imagine not many people would be thrilled by that idea, considering the polarizing opinions on Bradbury's prose, ahaha.) I had too many questions that went unanswered. I wanted to know more about Clarisse (who I thought was one of the most one-dimensional characters I've come across in a while). Captain Beatty fascinated me because he was clearly well-read, yet stood on the side of burning books. I wanted a better understanding of why. I wanted to learn more about these wars that were happening, the rise of other forms of media and their last impact, among other things. I suppose I could always look at what's happening in the world to get some idea, but I wanted to learn more about the world Bradbury constructed.
I think I'm glad to have read this novel, just for the sake of knowing why it's part of the Western (specifically US) literary canon. I clearly got something out of it, but I don't think it's a novel I'd revisit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death
Moderate: Car accident and War
lizziaha's review against another edition
3.75
Bradbury clearly has a beautiful writing style. The beginning of this book is breathtaking—I wish Clarisse had appeared more often throughout the rest of the book. Despite the book being obviously dated, I do think some aspects of his dystopian world were surprisingly parallel to our present. For some people to see that, of course, they’d need to think about it critically, something that can be lacking in our insular world (Bradbury definitely got that one right).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Addiction, Suicide, Drug abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, Death, Child death, and Car accident
Minor: Animal death, Misogyny, War, and Abortion
izypup's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
akvolcano's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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
I’m glad that I’ve read this now, I doubt I’d have the same perspective if I read it in high school. I find it quite ironic and ignorant that the author claims that “minorities” are the ones destroying literature and thoughtfulness. That THEY would be and ARE the reason information censoring exists. When in current times, it is people who look and think like him, a rich white old man, who are the main source of people who like to censor stories written by and about minorities. He also thinks that complexity can only be created, exist, maintain, in an exclusionist and harmful environment. It is a shame he does not see the beautiful endless deep complexities in inclusivity and understanding and active listening and having empathy for others. He is missing out.
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-
The idea of people memorizing books, stories, history-is not original. It comes from Indigenous people and it comes from so many other cultures. But it doesn’t surprise me that credit is not given to the source of which gave him the idea to include it in the book
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-
Content Warnings
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
johannarose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicide
Moderate: Car accident, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Self harm, War, Genocide, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Grief, Abortion, Drug use, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship