A difficult book to like mostly to do with Bradbury’s writing style, but one I read for the CBO’s bookclub. The themes explored were interesting but I wish it had been written in an easier style. Saying that, considering the book was written in the 50’s, it is eerily prescient. An unforgiving view of society as it now stands, suggesting that the vast majority of people are content to no longer question life but to accept what is force fed to them. The burning of books, becomes symbolic in removing the very thing we use to question society and our existence. ( )

Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, reveals the changes of values and morals through a futuristic society. Owning and reading books in this society is illegal and censored by the government. Instead of coming to your house when there is an actual fire, firemen in Fahrenheit 451 are called to the job when books are found in someones home. The firemen are not meant to put out fires but rather start them. When books are found, they will burn the books along with the house. Instead of burying oneself in a good novel, people from this futuristic society are more worried about buying another movie screen to add to their theater of ignorance. This book shows how their government fears individuals becoming more superior than others. They believe that by burning knowledge, everybody will remain equal and no single person will excel higher than the other. I enjoyed reading this book because it shows us how society can be greatly influenced by government in an interesting way. My two favorite characters are Clarisse and Faber. They both have a lasting impression of Guy Montag and help him realize the importance of life and literature. This was one of my favorite books that I read in English class because I liked seeing how people reacted to Guy Montags' rebellious actions and I enjoyed following him throughout his journey and escape from this horrible society.

In this futuristic novel, Ray Brudbuy places his main character, Guy Montag, in a utopian society where everything is "perfect" and everyone is supposed to be "happy." However, the society's perfection originates from its citizens' oblivion to everything going on around them. The government purposely prevents those people living in their city from obtaining any knowledgeable information so that they are in complete control of everyone at all times. Due to society's lack of knowledge, the government is able to get away with burning books and brainwashing the entire population. However, one girl, Clarisse, who was able to defy this brainwashing, changed Guy Montag from a book-burner into an individual, unique from the rest of society. Following his drastic change, Guy Montag spends his days concealing his book-hiding secret, but when his secret is discovered, he runs from society only to find a group of intellects just like him.

I thought this book was definitely one of the more enjoyable required school books. Its intellectual discussion of censorship and its affects on society was quite intriguing. However, I thought that the extent to which Ray Bradbury expressed this futuristic change was exaggerated which is why I gave this novel 3.5 stars. ( )

In terms of importance this book would be five stars. And don't get me wrong, the four star rating is no knock. This book is excellent and one everyone should read. I just feel other books like Brave New World and 1984 said the same thing in a much more powerful way. ( )

Ray Bradbury creates a scary futuristic society in which a large oppressive government takes all power and leaves the citizens with no free thought. Bradbury includes comedy and irony to enhance his story. For example, in the book firemen burn books and houses rather than preserve them. Clarisse tells Bradbury that in the past firemen used to put out fires and Bradbury refuses to believe that and thinks the thought is ridiculous. I couldn't help but laugh at the irony.

The scary part of the book is that many people, such as Mildred, are completely content with being ignorant and powerless against the government. Montag knows he's unhappy, but he doesn't know why. When Montag partnered up with Faber and joined the "resistance", it showed me how unstable Montag was as a person and that the desire for freedom eventually overcomes loyalty to authority, no matter how strong.

I think it's very clever how Bradbury plays off of people's flaws and fears. For example, Mildred's friends don't want to vote for somebody because he's not as good looking as Mr. Noble. Some people fear that democracy promotes a popularity contest of sorts and that people will vote for candidates for the wrong reasons out of ignorance. Bradbury implies that big government creates an ignorant populace and so will vote for certain presidents who will make government bigger and bigger and eventually society will become like what it is in Fahrenheit 451.

The most interesting and appealing part of the book to me was the bands of intellectuals along the railroad tracks. It intrigued me to find out that scholars remembered parts of books so they could re-write them after the nuclear wars. I was even more surprised to find out that society had destructed and reformed many times before. I realized that society could very possibly do this in real life and maybe even did it already.

Ray Bradbury fights against big government with a very smart and interesting novel. This book was excellent and I would definitely recommend it. ( )