Though Fahrenheit 451 has been on my TBR list for a while and it took a push from both the Banned book club and Classics N Christie book club to make me pick it up in March. And guess what? Like the other books the club has picked so far, it was great and I have no idea why I was hesitating to pick it up at all. Let us get with it shall we?
About Fahrenheit 451
Book Name: Fahrenheit 451
Author: Ray Bradbury
Genre: Fiction – Dystopia, Science Fiction, Classics
Characters: Guy Montag, Norman Corwin, Clarisse McClellan, Mildred Montag, Captain Beatty, Professor Faber
Setting: The USA
Plot summary of Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451 is set in dystopian world where books are banned and if found in person or house firemen were set upon to burn them. This is just strategy by the government to control the minds of the masses. The people too have lost interest in reading and television screens have taken their lives.
The protoganist Montag is a fireman who takes his job seriously and follows the rules to the T without any remorse until he meets his young neighbour Clarisse. Clarisse questions everything in life and doesn’t hide her enthusiasm from Montag. Her suspicious disappearance sparks something in Montag and he starts reading bits of books that he had stolen whilst on his job.
The little knowledge he gains from the books changes not only his idea of life and to know how it does read Fahrenheit 451 right now!
Book review of Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451 talks about censorship but it was more about the technological growth and how people can get dependent on them. It is also about political autocracy and the controlling the masses. Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which the paper burns but it is also about what makes the human mind tick and engaged. Reading does it. Period.
The first thing that happened when I finished the book was talk to everyone else who has read the book about its relevancy even today. The book is full of metaphor and I can’t believe how foresighted the author was, given the book was written in the early 1950s.
Of course the book was banned, and I would not be surprised if it were banned today had it been released now. I cannot emphasis on how powerful the book is, especially for the current global political scenario.
Things that worked for me
- The book is full of metaphors and you can’t stop reading if you started matching it with real world.
- The story and the plot are simple and direct, which helps it becoming the powerful book he is.
- The book is filled with quotes and if you hoard quotes, you are in for a treat.
- Fahrenheit 451 is still (or more) relevant to the current scenario.
Things that didn’t work for me
It was really hard to get into initially, like most other classics.
Bottom-line
Fahrenheit 451 is for all the bookworms out there. If you are look for a book, any book, PICK THIS. If you want to read just one book in a year Fahrenheit 451 is the one for you. It will change your world and thoughts about books and reading.
Similar reviews that you might like
- Kinship of Secrets by Eugenia Kim
- Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
- Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
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Let us chat
Have you read this book? Do you have it in your TBR? What do you think of this book, if you have read it? What other banned books have you read? Let us talk.
I agree with everything you said! What a wonderful book, and it is very modern in it’s theme and meaning. I also thought the metaphorical writing style was absolutely beautiful. What a brilliant read <3
You nailed it!
This was my first dystopian book! I was very moved by the ending scene. I was thinking, really – no books!? My teacher loved dystopian books and introduced me to this genre. Great review Gayathri! ❤️❤️
Right? I loved this book as well.
I really like the sound of this book. I have never read dystopian fiction, so this might be the perfect one for me.
I love dystopians and this one has been on my TBR for years! Great review 🙂 If you’re interested in another dystopian classic – I recommend Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. It’s the one that got me started in the dystopian genre.
This sounds great!
I read this book such a long time ago that I should probably re-read now. Thanks for the reminder. Great review!
I’ve been meaning to read this for years! Thanks for the review.
I read this book such a long time ago that I should probably re-read it now. Thanks for the reminder! Great review.
I hope you do it!
Love the sound of this, will look out for it!
You should try this out!
I know I need to settle down and read this, but I cannot seem to make myself do it!
Some day!
I’ve read it a few times, but not recently. It is still so very relevant today. If you liked that book you’d probably enjoy the movie Equalibrium.
That is a new one. I have to check it up soon.
I completely agree <3. I love this book and to this day it is one of my favourites, although it really was a bit hard to get into it.
I actually read this book because it was my sister’s Literature text and it was SO DISTURBING in so many ways because it’s just – it’s a dystopia that is very close to reality in a lot of ways? I now want to watch the movie version of it that came out last year.
I had such a struggle for this book as you said. I mean that is the thing about classics. I do see the metaphors, some, and I think the premise and the criticism was so good, so on point. I know all that! It has one of the most amazing quotes ever! https://www.instagram.com/tv/Bt9DKl5nC-k/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=ptoboy3zwyho
But I had such a hard time liking this book. I am not sure but this is me, I had to force myself to read it and understand it! Then I watched the movie and I shouldn’t have haha
I might give it another chance later haha but I agree this is a most read haha