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Summary: A thinker's treasure, but not for the shallow of mind
Review: We all hold some novels so close to our hearts that we cannot view them dispassionately. For me, one such treasure is Fahrenheit 451. This is the novel that first awakened me to the possibility that science fiction could be about more than just action heroes, quick thrills and mindless drivel: that at its best, it honours a unique literary duty, allowing us to glimpse horrific futures that may actually come to pass if we leave the path of wisdom.Fahrenheit 451 is one of the finest examples of that sub genre of science fiction called dystopian fiction. Every science fiction writer of note has drawn from this well, but few as successfully as Bradbury. The only other authors to realise equal successes are Orwell with 1984 and Huxley with Brave New World. Some would add Gibson and Dick, but theirs are derivative works of a later generation. Of all such works, Bradbury's is the most accessible. At his centre, Bradbury is an optimist while the others are not. Consequently, Fahrenheit 451 holds out the light of hope when the others leave us despairing. This book operates on countless levels. It can be read as a futuristic fable, a psychological drama, or a social commentary. It is a rich character study; a pounding plot-driven quest; an overwhelming thematic work, or a setting of sterile horror. In actuality, it is all of this and more. Rarely does one happen upon a work in which the parts fit together so exquisitely, and for this reason alone, it deserves its reputation as one of the greatest works in the genre. But it is the characters that make this book come alive. When the protagonist experiences the emptiness of a hollow life, the anguish of guilt, the glimmerings of a real love, the terror of blind panic or the despair of pursuit, it is as if these things are happening to us. Bradbury's skill transforms science fiction into literature. This is not a book for juvenile minds. While it is written in tight, almost Spartan prose, and reads like a children's novel, it is actually a highly philosophical work. In some ways palpable, but in more ways subtle, it focuses an unflinching light on those ugly aspects of our nature that impel us towards superficiality and mental sloth. It is no wonder that shallow readers and idle thinkers find this book unrewarding and depressing; even vaguely insulting. More thoughtful readers will be disturbed, but that will only be to Bradbury's purpose. This work is really written for brave thinkers - those willing to confront unpleasantness and sweat for their rewards. Such readers, no matter what their age, will fall in love with this book. Bradbury exposes the failings of our natures with a perception and a depth of wisdom that few science fiction authors can reach. Most of all, his love for humanity shines through the darkness of his cautionary tale: and he has the literary courage to warn us against ourselves without the addition of artificial sweetener.
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Summary: Fahrenheit 451
Review: Fahrenheit 451 is a great book for any age. The story is about a man named Guy Montag which has a job as a fireman. The only thing that is different is that he sets books ablaze instead of putting out the fire. He meets this girl named Clariesse which tells him of a past when people put out fires and were not afraid. He later meets a man named Faber which teels him of a future and becomes a very important friend. He feels that he is not doing the right thing, so he has to do something about it! The book takes place in a big city in the future and has strange people around every corner. This book is an exciting, yet mysterious book and when you open it, you won't want to put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the worst books I have ever read!
Review: Wow, what a horrible book! Not only was it 100 times worse than 1984, but it was much more disturbing. Now, I do not want to influence anyone's purchasing opinion here--I have met many people who LOVED this book. I am just not into that kind of fictional read.
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Summary: One depressing masterpiece...
Review: After listening to the excellent Book-On-Tape version of this book, I was depressed for a week. So why am I giving it five stars? Because this book and its characters affected me so much, this book literally forced me to reexamine the relationships in my own life. You surely know the basic story, from the Amazon description if from nowhere else. This is a depiction of a sick, but not unfathomable society. Science has advanced to the point where homes are constructed in such a way that they cannot burn, unless the fire is intentional. Firemen still exist, but they are only called out to burn books, and the houses (and sometimes people) that contain and love them. The concept is chilling, but the psychological effects of such a super-paranoid society are what I could not get out of my head. Guy Montag is a fireman, has been for decades. But in the back of his mind is an itch, that little spark of human curiosity that hasn't quite been burned out of him yet. He meets a girl, Clarisse, who isn't like all of the other people left in the world. She laughs, and doesn't conform, and challenges him with thoughts that she could not have gotten from the ubiquitous video walls that occupy most people's lives. Guy's curiosity is stoked, and adventures ... somewhat depressing adventures, ensue ... By the end of this chilling and frightening experience (which includes, by the way, scarily prescient "Reality television" shows a la Stephen King's The Running Man or Fox's Cops), like I said, I was depressed for a week. But I also found myself listening more to people, turning off the television to spend time with my wife, and ultimately inspired to stop being such a go-with-the-flow zombie that our shrink-wrapped culture demands.
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Summary: Not up to par with Bradbury's other work
Review: This is Ray Bradbury's worst book. I cannot believe ... a good writer bombs here. 1st, Clairsse McCellan, the only one who I like in the book ..., then the book skids downhill from there. 2nd, There is a lot of taking the Lord's name in vain, which is breaking a commadment and is a sin. Mr. Bradbury could do better.
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Summary: Really makes you think.
Review: This book takes place in a futuristic society (around 2500 probably). It was written in 1950 and many of the predictions Bradbury made back then are happening right now. It really is scary when you think about it. Guy Montag isn't a regular fireman. His job isn't to put fires out but to burn houses with books in them. In Bradbury's futuristic society books are illegal. People who read them are called crazy and usually put in an asylum. Montag really loves his job and has fun doing it, until the day that he meets a girl named Clarisse. Clarisse isn't like other people - she likes to smell flowers, to climb trees, and to talk and think, which isn't something most other people care about. In this society, people watch their TVs, go to work, and sleep. No one talks, no one thinks... Clarisse starts Montag thinking, "What do books say? Why were they banned?". I can't say much about the plot because I'd be giving away a lot of interesting things about the book but I can say, you won't be disappointed. The book is guaranteed to make you think, and keep you up all night until you finish it.
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Summary: One of my all time favorites
Review: I absolutely loved this book and think it should be required reading in every school in America. It's a quick read but it's packed with a wonderful story that should not be forgotten.
Rating:
Summary: magnificent
Review: the book was great. i just finished reading it yesterday and this is a book that you can't put down. you should read it too.
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Summary: Guy Montag knew what he had to do...
Review: he stopped worshipping fire and treated it like the enemy it was when it came to books, except when it came it beatty, whom he turned into a marshmallow. then he met the others who were doing their best to keep the words alive to pass along to the next generation... don't be put off by the fact that it's sci-fi. i love reading stuff that no one thinks i would read. it's not " war and peace " ( 165 pages ) you can read it in a day. and the message will stay with you for life...
don't make any more excuses....
Rating:
Summary: 'think for yourself'
Review: This was an amazing book. I loved Ray Bradbury's long sentences. (an example is the first description given of Clarisse's face) His introductions to different scenes in the book were detailed but not quite straight-forward, always realistic, which gives a third dimension to everything that Guy Montag experiences throughout the novel. Since this book was set in the future, it brings many interesting questions to mind about our own world, in the present. So many people would rather not have to think; they want everything to be explained to them, to have only one answer to every question. Fahrenheit 451 is fantastic, and every one should take the time and money to understand it...Buy this book!
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