Dystopia fiction is my second favourite genre (just after crime) and when Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 was sold on a discounted price, I knew I had to get it.
In summary, "Fahrenheit 451" presents a future American society where books are outlawed as it is the source of unhappiness whilst a fireman's job is to burn any books that are found. (The title refers to the autoignition temperature of paper).
Guy Montag is a fireman. He thought he was leading a happy life until a mysterious neighbour questions his life and perceived happiness. It was simple basic questions but Montag was highly disturbed by it.
Then one day, Montag and his colleagues received a tip off about an old woman who kept a collection of books at home. While other firemen ransack the place, Montag stole a book before the burning starts. The woman refused to leave her house and her book, choosing to set herself on fire and her suicide shook Montag to his core. He tried to speak to his wife about it but she was only obsessed with her shallow TV dramas.
This is also when Montag realised that he needs to do something. Memorise books, fight the system, rebuild society....
Overall, this is a pretty good read. Bradbury's writing style is simple yet beautiful. His choice of words compliments each other so well that at one point, it felt very poetry like. The nature of this novel may seem a bit extreme but its a powerful and relatable commentary on humankind's suppression on things they cannot control. Books encourage thinkers? Let's burn them! People have too much time? Keep them occupied with TV!.... Sounds familiar?
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