lizziaha's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Addiction, Suicide, Drug abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, Death, Child death, and Car accident
Minor: Animal death, Misogyny, War, and Abortion
carlycormier_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
"So now do you see why books are hated and feared? They see the pores in the face of life. The comfortable people want only wax moon faces, poreless, hairless, emotionless."
I enjoyed Orwell’s 1984 in high school so I thought I would give this one a read. I am very glad that I did! This book reignited ( pun intended) my desire to read. I had, oddly enough, fallen off the train some time ago in favor of podcasts and other forms of digital media. This book put me back on the path of reading for knowledge.
Fahrenheit 451 turned out to be the first book I have annotated in a really long time. I found myself enjoying Bradbury's word choice, blocking/highlighting sections simply for how beautiful it was. I had forgotten what it was like to read something then have to re-read it to experience it again! Specifically, the vivid and lyrical imagery of fire that is conjured up is one of my favorite parts of this book.
"Delicately, like the petals of a flower. Light the first page, light the second page. Each becomes a black butterfly... Light the third page... chain-smoking, chapter by chapter, all the silly things the words mean, all the false promises, all the secondhand notions and time-worn philosophies."
Bradbury has a way of peeling back your world view and exposing it in a new light.
"How like a mirror, too, her face. Impossible; for how many people did you know that refracted your own light to you? ... How rarely did other people's faces take of you and throw back to your own expression, your own innermost trembling thought?" </spoiler>
This book is beyond its years in many ways: the plot, the ideology, the technology. It was thought-provoking in a way that I was not expecting. I knew I was going to be reading about a dystopian world that banned books, but not much else beyond that.
I am writing this review a few months later and am still thinking about this book! Not five stars simply because the ending felt rushed, unfinished even, and I was left wanting more, but not in an unenjoyable way. Montag's story fell short while simultaneously ending exactly how it needed to. Conflicting feelings on the last dozen pages, but would still recommend this book for its thought-provoking content.
As a side note:
I would recommend the copy I had (ISBN 978-1-4516-7331-9). This version includes an entire section on the history, context, and criticism of the book. It was fascinating to read more about the book from a historical standpoint, as well as a contemporary appreciation for its role within the dystopian/sci-fi genre.
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Death
sunniva174's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Child death, and Death
Moderate: War
fluture's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book is probably more suitable or enjoyable for you who like philosophical talks. If you're patient enough, the story gets a bit better at the end.
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, Death, Gore, Murder, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Forced institutionalization, and Fire/Fire injury
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Violence, Gaslighting, Grief, Police brutality, War, Suicide attempt, and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
akvolcano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
As for the book itself, I wish parts of the afterword was included in the book. I also wish that this book was longer….where it left off still feels like the backstory. I do enjoy the futuristic exploration! I also agree with placing high value on letting ourselves slowing down and giving us a chance to think and to feel. I would like to write down some quotes from this book!
I also find it ironic that this book has been banned on and off. I feel like it proves part of his point that it is more of so the thoughts and actions that happen after reading a book-that is more dangerous than the book itself. The power comes from people, books help with the process of preserving and sharing those ideas.
Overall, I am glad I finally read this book myself. I wouldn’t read it again, nor would I recommend it without heavy discussion, but it does paint a good picture. Oh and also-
Moderate: Colonisation, Death, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, Racism, Ableism, Blood, Car accident, Cursing, Police brutality, Violence, Bullying, Miscarriage, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Murder, Physical abuse, Grief, Abortion, Mass/school shootings, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Child death, Emotional abuse, War, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
kathyovalle01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Death, War, Animal death, and Murder
picking_back_up's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
kalicoo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: War
Minor: Child death
johannarose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicide
Moderate: Car accident, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Self harm, War, Genocide, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Grief, Abortion, Drug use, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship