Mit Fahrenheit 451 hält Ray Bradbury der Gegenwart ein Zerrbild vor. Er zeigt die Gefahren die dem Menschen aus dem heutigen Stand von Zivilisation und Technisierung drohen. In der Utopie Bradburys wird der Mensch vollends überwältigt. In der Wohnung ist die betäubende Geräuschkulisse des Rundfunks allgegenwärtig; Fernsehwände umgeben die Bewohner mit ablenkender Gesellschaft und absorbierendem Geplauder. Werbesprüche hämmern die letzten Ansätze zu eigenen Gedanken aus dem Gehirn. Die Gedankenlosigkeit garantiert den Menschen ihr fades Glück. Darum dürfen sie nicht zur Besinnung kommen, nicht die Ruhe finden, die ihnen Gelegenheit zum Denken gibt. Vor allem aber müssen sie vor Büchern bewahrt bleiben, die vom Denken zeugen.
--back cover
I actually think this had good pacing except for the end, which felt maybe a bit rushed. But anyway go slay Montag, professional DIPPER of capitalism and fascism and whatever else was in there
Do your own bit of saving, and if you drown, at least die knowing you were heading for shore.
5 stars
There are so many quotes that I have taken away from this book and that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I think one of the main (or, most impactful) ones is 'if you drown, at least die knowing you were heading for shore' - such a beautiful way of saying die doing what's right. It reminds me of the quote from Stéphane Charbonnier who stated, 'I'd rather die standing than live on my knees' (he was later killed by Islamic terrorists who did not agree with the viewpoints he published). I know that many people reading this review might argue that I should have read this book earlier in my life (and they're likely right) but I want to attempt to rebut this by saying that I think, if I were to read Fahrenheit 451 at any younger age, I might not have been …
There are so many quotes that I have taken away from this book and that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I think one of the main (or, most impactful) ones is 'if you drown, at least die knowing you were heading for shore' - such a beautiful way of saying die doing what's right. It reminds me of the quote from Stéphane Charbonnier who stated, 'I'd rather die standing than live on my knees' (he was later killed by Islamic terrorists who did not agree with the viewpoints he published). I know that many people reading this review might argue that I should have read this book earlier in my life (and they're likely right) but I want to attempt to rebut this by saying that I think, if I were to read Fahrenheit 451 at any younger age, I might not have been able to take away as much as I did reading it this time. I'm currently 19 years old, though Fahrenheit was actually one of the first books I ever purchased. It had a beautiful animated cover and came along with Brave New World (which had 3D glasses tucked behind the first page so that you could view the cover image from a different perspective); whilst I would have been able to read both books in my youth, I'm somewhat glad I didn't as I worry I might have ruined them, spoilt them for myself. F451 made me feel so electric with every single word, page, and character. With every single location, event, and detail. It took a little time getting used to the writing style but once I was into it, I was completely in. Sidenote, the detail of the vent in Montag's house was wonderfully done and felt so suspenseful.