Fahrenheit 451

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into Fahrenheit 451, but it turned out to be surprisingly relevant and thought-provoking. The themes of censorship, technology, and conformity still hit hard, and the idea of a world without books definitely makes you think. Some parts felt a little slow or abstract, but overall, it sparked good class discussions and gave us a lot to unpack. Montag’s journey is a bit wild, but it gets better as the story unfolds. Not my favorite book ever, but definitely worth reading — especially for how much it makes you think about society today.

I rarely read fiction, but I'm glad I read this book! It's the work of a man who truly loves books. He brings to light people who are willing to die for the right to read. Because this is a scholarly classic, much as been said about the mechanical dog, the smokers who show up to do a blood transfusion, and the job of firemen morphing into setting fires rather than extinguishing them. All of these are elements that make the book quite intriguing. I was both troubled and relieved when Montag set Beatty afire. It seems that it was the best thing to do at the time. One reason I avoid fiction is that I don't like to go through such slaughters, but it's all just an illusion. And it was an appropriate way to take out a bully. Decades ago Bradbury was able to foresee that many would steer away from reading, instead choosing the easier path of sitting back and watching big TV screens allowing anything to take over their thinking. It's disturbing to see the scholars who walk the outskirts of the cities, homeless because the authorities have banished the readers. Those devoted to exercising their freedom, and helping others to learn the skill of freedom of thought are outcast. One of the most interesting aspects of this novel is its author, Ray Bradbury, who received his education in the libraries. He loved hanging out in the library. It was a safe-haven for him in a time of economic depression in the country. This is where he got his education, among the stacks and in the pages of the books. This says a lot for how one can get an education. The library is one big school that any literate person can dive into, assuming he has one he can access. This book is definitely a demonstration of the power of libraries. The word "library" is only mentioned a few times in the book, and each time it's in reference to personal libraries in people's homes. We can assume all the public libraries had already been destroyed by the time we show up in the sidelines of this story. It's useful to go through this exercise of what it might be like in a country where reading is banned and the government controls the minds of the people and watches out for their activities. Look around. Today, men like Snowden are helping us keep an eye on the activities of the fire department. We all need to closely watch as we decide what to do with our time each day. The classics do us no good until they're read. If people are so distracted with the little seashells and thimbles in their ear, with their TVs and their cell phones, getting lost in the media, then they lose sight of their own life. They get sucked up into entertainment, programming them with violent action and sitcom-style messages of what to drink and eat, and how to behave. In one of his own commentaries on his book, Ray Bradbury mentions that he wrote the original version of this novella straight through in about 9 days. He estimated that it cost him $9.80 in dimes that he put into the typewriter at the UCLA library. He needed to write in the library to avoid distraction from his children at home. And he needed to write quickly in the library so as not to burn up too many dimes. This is clear evidence that writing without thinking too much about it can produce powerful messages. This was a culmination of ideas that had been stirring up in his mind after he wrote The Pedestrian. This book is an important read for anyone who wants to keep her mind free from the media. It's a vivid warning that we need to stand guard. We are responsible for cultivating our egos and our minds. It's up to us to stop authoritarian thugs before their control goes from a spark to an out-of-control fire.

Fahrenheit 451, was written by Ray Bradbury, and won the National Book Award. In this book, literature is forbidden and it is the job of the well respected firemen to destroy them and the houses in which they are hidden. This story gives you a sense of uncertainty, and has many plot twists. It is written in the perspective of an experienced fireman, Montag, who takes pleasure in seeing the houses and books be engulfed by orange flames. But a series of unexpected events lead him to question his past and even begins breaking the law himself. This story is set in the future, where the government has forbid literature in hopes to repress everyone’s thoughts and knowledge. Technology is advancing quickly and everyone needs to have the latest; entire walls made of one television screen. Hours upon hours are spent with the television “families.” The few who have any sense are seen as odd and deemed as outcasts. Montag begins as a typical fireman. He just follows the rules and goes on with his life, unmindful of what is happening in the world. Much like everyone else in the society. As the story progresses, he becomes more of a risk-taker. He starts to act for himself instead of for the good of society. Montag’s wife, Mildred, on the other hand, stays consistent with her characteristics throughout the story. She is more of a selfish, person who has been brainwashed by television. Mildred is an unpredictable character who seems to be in high spirits, but she tries to commit suicide, by eating too many sleeping pills. From the beginning of the story, you can tell that something is different in their society, as firemen burn down houses rather than put out fires. A significant event occurs right off the bat when Montag meets Clarisse, a young insightful girl who opens Montag’s eyes to the past when books were legal and people didn’t spend all of their time in front of the television screen. Clarisse meets Montag everyday in the same spot, on his way to and from work. They converse about the past and to Montag, she seems so wise and he immediately befriends her. After awhile Montag’s life begins to change, he doesn’t seem to know his wife anymore and he begins to doubt his all his previous knowledge. Pretty soon, Montag and Clarisse’s meetings become routine. But suddenly Clarisse wasn’t there to greet him on his way home anymore. She had disappeared and her whole family was gone. Montag and his wife are growing further and further apart. After the unexpected disappearance of Clarisse, Montag begins hiding books in his own home, hoping that they will help him to know what to do next. After a session with the fire captain, Beatty, Montag realizes why books were forbidden, simply to ensure that no one would be smarter than anyone else. The government anticipated that in banning books, it would repress everyone’s thoughts and ideas, so no one would be too smart. And they hoped to let technology pretty much brainwash people into believing that literature is not worth their time. So, by letting technology be dominant over literature, one will lose their knowledge. And the government’s plan worked, they’ve created dumbed-down, technologically crazed clones. Montag refused to go to work for quite some time, but upon returning he made a new ally. Faber, a wise, old criminal, and Montag were fed up with the laws against books. The allies wanted to form a plan to rebel and legalize books again. They intended on planting books in firemen’s’ houses and then call the alarm. Montag knew their plan was risky and that if caught; he would surely go to prison and maybe be put to death. Before he and Faber even began to fulfill their plan, they encountered an unforeseen delay. While Montag was at work one day, the firemen got a call for a fire, nothing out of the unusual, but when they arrived at the house it was Montag’s own house. Mildred had turned him in. Because Montag was now a criminal, he has to go on the run. Meanwhile, war has broken out in the community. I’ll let you see for yourself how it ends. This book, because of the extensive detail, can be a little confusing at times. I would recommend it for older people. But, it’s very well written and I enjoyed reading it. It leaves you fearing a world with evolving technology and no literature. I believe that anyone looking for a fiction, dystopian novel, would take pleasure in reading this book as I did.

Everyone who loves books should read this book. Every civilization's, every society's downfall is rooted in silencing critical thinking. One which develops only through reading and imbibing different ideas from books. History is a testament to this fact. Any dissent suppressed will only grow wilder and more intense which will eventually wreck havoc in its wake and perhaps the new society born out of it might be better. Not pure and perfect but better as long as we remember what caused it in the first place. "The good writers touch life often. The mediocre ones run a quick hand over her. The bad ones rape and leave her for the flies." The author Ray Bradbury, rightfully belongs to the good writers category. ❤️

Amazing read!

Ray Bradbury'nin yakın gelecekteki korkulara ilişkin kaleme aldığı baş yapıtı.

Quick delivery, well packed, products as displayed, very pleased!😁

książka klejona, dość szybko złamał mi się grzbiet; sama treść nie zachwyca, ale nie jest też tragiczna