Book review: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

In Ray Bradbury’s classic novel Fahrenheit 451, the job of a fireman is to start fires to burn books rather than put the fires out. One fireman, Guy Montag, who lives a mundane life trying to pay for TVs that his wife insists on buying so she can spend her day with her TV ‘family’, meets a vibrant young neighbor Clarisse, who begins to make him doubt the ‘reality’ of his world. When Clarisse disappears, Guy begins to hide books; his wife turns him in and he flees from arrest and joins a band of scholars who keep the knowledge of books alive waiting for a time when this knowledge will be needed again.

Slowly the world succumbs to war as the government tries to demolish the forbidden movement……

This tale of conformity in a strict society is not an uncommon theme; with books like Brave New World, many authors have captured the essence of the desire to be free in a closed society. Ray Bradbury does this in a masterful way; with heavy use of metaphors and similes, and a very insightful look into people’s minds, desires and inner secrets, he explores a horrifying future with such clarity that you can almost believe it will happen.

This Science Fiction book is a classic; while predominantly about a future ‘sci-fi’ world, it is more about exploring humanities flaws, the desire of government to try and control humanity, and the constant struggle of individuals to break from the chains. While based on a horrific future, metaphorically the book can be taken as a direct comment on modern society and the way in which we all conform without really questioning or trying to extend our boundaries.

The book is thought provoking and very powerful. It is written in a way that draws you in to the story and the characters. Who is the old man in the park? What made fireman start setting fires rather than putting them out? Who is Clarisse? These questions, and more, pull you into the story and don’t let you go until the very end.

It is one of the most convincing ‘horrific future’ books that I have read, perhaps drawing on actual history in which books were burnt in the medieval age, and applying modern thoughts and doctrines to it. Although this book was first published in 1953 it is still very relevant to modern society.

Through clever writing and an intriguing ‘possible’ plot the book highlights the power of the written word and thus this book has become an important novel in literary circles. It inspires much talk about the underlying meaning, some stating that the book was written about government censorship.

Regardless of the underlying message it stands out as a great book and one that underpins the whole Science Fiction movement.