Rating: 
Summary: A frightening look at our world's future
Review: One of the best books you will ever read. A story that you will never forget
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This book brings up points about the control that our government could have over us if we let it. It raises issues about Cable, and letting the technological wonders of the 90's take over the simplest pleasures. It is written brilliently, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who liked Animal Farm, or 1984
Rating: 
Summary: Profoundly unfulfilling.
Review: Another dark, gloomy, mildly confusing, Blade Runner-ish
view of the future lacking in any redeeming qualities.
"In the future, Firemen burn books" -- Bradbury creates
an inventive premise but his own gloom overtakes the story.
Fraught with loose ends, this is the last book you read
before you set yourself on fire.
Rating:
Summary: Literal bookburning in a world too like our own
Review: In Fahrenheit 451 (the temperature at which books burn, for the curious), the Ray Bradbury evokes a terrifying America similar to our own in all respects but one- the fireman there burn books. With the aid of a mysterious girl, Clarice, who says she is "seventeen and crazy," fireman Guy Montag chooses to defy society and is forced to run for sanctuary, even as a nuclear Armageddon approaches. Bradbury's love of books is evident in his theme, and his love of language is evident in his linguistic acrobatics. Anyone with a burning love of books should read Fahrenheit 451- it is truly a masterpiece
Rating:
Summary: As disturbing today as the day it was written
Review: The obvious renewed popularity of this title is certainly due to Michael Moore's new movie, Fahrenheit 9/11. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it has brought Bradbury's great classic back into the thoughts of today's society. This is an easy read for any type of reader. There is a clearly outlined plot. There is nowhere to get confused or even lost. Guy Montag is a fireman who burns books. Now you might think a fireman burning books is lame but it really just makes this entire novel so much more interesting to read. Actually, this is one harrowing book, dealing with censorship, totalarian governments, and the igrnorance of a few who impose their beliefs on the many. A stellar read, this is more than just food for thought. Also recommended: RULE OF FOUR and BARK OF THE DOGWOOD
Rating:
Summary: Definition of a classic...
Review: I've heard so many people say they've been influenced by Bradbury (writers and others) and I can see why--this is simply a great novel. Bradbury is really a national treasure. If you ever get the chance to hear him speak, don't miss him. His stories are priceless. (Especially the one about his anger at people telling him for years that he was crazy to believe man would set foot on the moon in his lifetime. He said he called up every person who laughed in his face the night Neil Armstrong did--and pretty much laughed in their faces!) There is a fantastic one-on-one interview with him in the Walt Disney Tomorrowland-Disney in Space and Beyond DVD (interviewer is Leonard Maltin). His friendship with Disney (a fellow futurist) was fascinating. But it's the sense of wonder and child-like curiosity and optimism (not childish or blind optimism as he clearly understands what can create a dystopia) that make you realize why he is a national treasure. He's inspired me to look to the future, to look up, to look forward, to always be wary and alert to what can go wrong, (and the dangers of closed or lazy minds) BUT not to let any of that stop you--that anything is possible in a world willing to believe, in a free world with open and curious minds.
Rating:
Summary: Blasted me off my seat
Review: There are only a handful of books that have changed my life. Certainly Rands' ATLAS SHRUGGED is one. McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD is another. And last but not least, this classic Bradbury is one-probably the MOST influential In this novel, firemen do not extinguish fires but ignite them using kerosene. The act of seeking knowledge is frowned upon and those who insist upon reading and are caught with books have their lives burned to ashes. This book follows the life of a fireman named Guy Montag who before meeting an optimistic seventeen-year-old named Clarisse had never once desired to color outside the lines or in any other pigment than black or white. With Clarisse's wise words of a world once been wafting through his mind, Guy suddenly begins to see a world of colors and starts thinking that life is not as simple and happy, as he once believed it to be. Suddenly Guy is trapped between doing what he believes is right and becoming a fugitive, or doing what the rest of society believes to be right. This conflict of self is the soul of a novel that is filled to the brim with plot twists and metaphorical logic to make one think. Take for example the night that Guy receives some shocking news about Clarisse, a key point in the novel. This one night leads to Guy's new perception of the life he has been leading and shows him what a meaningless life it has been. Another key point in the novel would have to be the night that Guy reveals a part of his life to Mildred. This would probably have to be the most crucial part of the novel since it is the beginning of a new life for Guy and shows him who he really married and the true affect society has on people. However terrifying the prospect of living in such a time is to the readers of this book, the novel was nonetheless superbly written and portrayed the characters in all aspects of life perfectly. The tone of the book was faster pace than one would expect in a novel about the burning of knowledge and humanity but still has a darker edge to it, which helps in setting the mood for the storyline. The content of the novel was well perfectly in proportion to itself and did not go off subject or base conception once. Overall the writing was ingenious on Ran Bradbury's part. All in all, this novel is the perfect political portrayal of a corrupt society in which the man makes the rules and all must obey or die. In my opinion, everyone should be required to read this novel, student and adult alike. The writing is impeccable and so is the story plot. It makes the perfect student reading assignment and is also a great idea to read at ones leisure. This book is the quintessential literary masterpiece of our time.
Rating: 
Summary: Your typical required reading material...
Review: Basically, Montag, a firefighter from the "future", burns down houses that have books inside. In the "future", books are banned, and Bradbury tries to describe a world of the "future" with big screen, color TVs. Too bad, Bradbury, that this world is already here.
It was mostly a boring read, except for a few moments. You could describe this book as depressing. Everyone, even Montag, seems to be unhappy, and I really don't care what Bradbury has to think about how depressing our world is becoming.
Rating:
Summary: Ok, but it's no 1984
Review: I read this book after 1984 and it was just not as powerful as the author intended it to be. Yes, the censorship warnings are valid and interesting (especially in these times of The Patriot Act) but for me, nothing will rival the sheer overpowering feeling of doom of 1984.Good book though, hard to read for some as it is slow, but worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: fahrenheit 451
Review: Bradbury has twisted imagination, fears, thoughts and a quick lesson together to capture our senses and keep us turning the pages!
There is a certain depth to this book that is unreachable to anyone unless they are willing to dive beneath the surface to get it. Not only do the characters have feelings and thoughts; but all around the words are the feelings and sceneries that only the imagination can take in. What is actually shocking to realize is that our [country] is turning into exactly what this book says! No...were not burning books, but our entertainment and media has started controling our minds to thinking anything hard is not worth doing.
Bradbury has taken all our thoughts and fears on the future and taken to writing them down into a book. Fascinating as it is, its only our fear that our society could actually turn into this nightmare.
|
