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berratrixie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
"phone bad, book good !!!!!!!!!": the book
i don't think reading this book was a bad choice. i quite liked the way it was written. bradbury has a really imaginative writing style that can make any description of an object, a person, an ongoing situation evoke very vivid mental imagery.
BUT
i couldn't help but get the suspicion that the real message wasn't that ALL destruction of ANY informative content is bad, rather just the destruction of this one medium. any other sources of content or information and the people who use them are painted in a pretty bad light. i initially thought the criticism lay more in the authoritarian and fascist aspects of the government portrayed in the book, but reading some of the stuff he's said over the years, it's VERY clear he comes from a very conservative and bigoted perspective. especially him talking about how political correctness or, as he calls it, "censorship from minorities" relates to the book ... yikes !
i also think that the pacing picks WAY up during the third and final part of the book. suddenly there's one plot-altering confrontation after another, concluding with a really weird and unexpected ending.
all this adds up to a really unfocused dystopian novel that, while fun to read, simultaneously has a really questionable message at its core.
i don't think reading this book was a bad choice. i quite liked the way it was written. bradbury has a really imaginative writing style that can make any description of an object, a person, an ongoing situation evoke very vivid mental imagery.
BUT
i couldn't help but get the suspicion that the real message wasn't that ALL destruction of ANY informative content is bad, rather just the destruction of this one medium. any other sources of content or information and the people who use them are painted in a pretty bad light. i initially thought the criticism lay more in the authoritarian and fascist aspects of the government portrayed in the book, but reading some of the stuff he's said over the years, it's VERY clear he comes from a very conservative and bigoted perspective. especially him talking about how political correctness or, as he calls it, "censorship from minorities" relates to the book ... yikes !
i also think that the pacing picks WAY up during the third and final part of the book. suddenly there's one plot-altering confrontation after another, concluding with a really weird and unexpected ending.
all this adds up to a really unfocused dystopian novel that, while fun to read, simultaneously has a really questionable message at its core.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape
jennaaps's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Of course I’m gonna get on here and criticize a literary classic.
The kindle said I was less than 70% through the book before the story ended, so I can’t blame myself for expecting more. It’s a really fast story, and mostly happens internally to the main character.
There’s definitely a lot of value in it (I highlighted quite a few passages), but once again I am somewhat underwhelmed by a “classic.”
I think it’s just that my personal preference leans towards books with more concrete plot (and less dark). Still worth the read, though.
The kindle said I was less than 70% through the book before the story ended, so I can’t blame myself for expecting more. It’s a really fast story, and mostly happens internally to the main character.
There’s definitely a lot of value in it (I highlighted quite a few passages), but once again I am somewhat underwhelmed by a “classic.”
I think it’s just that my personal preference leans towards books with more concrete plot (and less dark). Still worth the read, though.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
akvolcano's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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
I’m glad that I’ve read this now, I doubt I’d have the same perspective if I read it in high school. I find it quite ironic and ignorant that the author claims that “minorities” are the ones destroying literature and thoughtfulness. That THEY would be and ARE the reason information censoring exists. When in current times, it is people who look and think like him, a rich white old man, who are the main source of people who like to censor stories written by and about minorities. He also thinks that complexity can only be created, exist, maintain, in an exclusionist and harmful environment. It is a shame he does not see the beautiful endless deep complexities in inclusivity and understanding and active listening and having empathy for others. He is missing out.
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-
The idea of people memorizing books, stories, history-is not original. It comes from Indigenous people and it comes from so many other cultures. But it doesn’t surprise me that credit is not given to the source of which gave him the idea to include it in the book
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-
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Classism
crying_again's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape