Ray Bradbury’s classic novel Fahrenheit 451 satirizes the notion of censorship to a most extreme level in which most books are regarded as illegal, so much so that any house in which books are found must be burned to the ground, a job that firemen themselves are responsible for. The protagonist is a fireman who realizes that if people themselves were willing to burn with their books, the books must contain something extraordinary. Turning against his family and friends, Guy Montag goes on the run to revolutionize a world full of ignorance with one mission: stop the burning and save the books.

This novel presented intriguing ideas of censorship, politics, and the media which sometimes felt quite relatable, especially the explanation of how books came to be illegal. However, I will say that the novel was somewhat lacking in details about the lifestyle in this futuristic world, merely hinting at the intricacies of everyday life and making it hard to imagine the conditions in which Montag lived. The book also felt slightly rushed at times, because the author’s purpose seemed to be geared toward the social and political commentary more so than the plot itself. I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark, satirical novels or wants to reaffirm their appreciation for literature and its importance.

Availability: SMCM Library, USMAI and COSMOS
Review Submitted by: Brianna Glase
Rating: Recommended