Book Review: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

by Siwoo Park, age 12

A world of book bans, manipulative media, and social detachment is not too hard to imagine. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury resonates even after over 70 years since it was first published.

While emphasizing the themes of censorship and individuality, the book warns us against hedonism and detachment from education and literature. It is a reminder of the importance of building our personas and facing reality, even when that reality is more grim than people hope.

In this futuristic plot, Guy Montag is a fireman, but his job isn’t to put fires out. His job is to burn books. The government made almost all forms of literature illegal and assigned firemen to incinerate them. Since books are unobtainable, people succumb to enhanced technology, finding mindless enjoyments like “Parlor Families,” “Fun Parks,” and other entertainment. The government controls the people, convinces them to think that books create unhappiness, and manipulates them with subtle media messages.

Guy Montag treasured his career until his new neighbor, Clarisse McClellan, made him doubt everything with her question: “Are you happy?”. Montag’s skepticism spiraled more after one book burning went wrong: an “unstable” woman was burned along with the books. His skepticism sparked something more stirring: curiosity. After reading one book after another, he wanted to protect the books and start a rebellion to recognize books as something great, not harmful. Montag sought out Faber, an old English professor who helped Montag carry out his plans without getting exposed by the tricky and sly Captain Beatty, Montag’s boss.

“Why should I read this book?” you may ask. This book is relatable in today's world. Screens are replacing literature as technology seems to do almost everything for us. While technology can be useful, it also gives us entertainment, which is abused to the point that it’s almost a drug. When we abuse technology, it also abuses us back by giving us unrealistic expectations and ideas like gender norms and beauty standards. This book expresses the significance of spreading ideas that are outside of social norms and concepts.

Even though there are ebooks nowadays, they cannot compare to real books with spines. As Faber said, “Do you know why books such as this are so important? Because they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture. This book has pores.” He means that reading can be visceral, and well-written words can transport you to another world.

I would recommend Fahrenheit 451 to older audiences as this book has some mature content like minor profanity and broadly explicit ideas. But since it was written in the 1950s, it’s understandable to see some topics that are considered “inappropriate” now. I enjoyed this book; it was intense and fiery as the title suggests. Bradbury’s descriptions are vivid and rich, he illustrates his ideas, almost like painting a picture. And just like a painting, Bradbury’s dystopia inspires reflection.