Submitted by DalekDevan t3_y80ida in books
Fahrenheit 451 is one of my favorite classics.
I read this book in one of my high school English classes. I didn't really get sucked into it in class, but a while after that I got my own copy because I decided to give it a second try, and I fell in love with it after that.
To me, this book is a reminder that there are a lot of things in life we take for granted, and that there are things that are worth striving for.
I understand Ray Bradbury's reasons for writing this book. A lot of people don't really have interest in things like reading books with how much technology can pander to short attention spans.
I was always fascinated by the part where Clarisse causes Montag to realize he isn't happy with his life, because I really can't imagine what it would be like to believe you've been happy for so long and then realize the whole time you've just been subconsciously lying to yourself to avoid the reality of it all.
The part where one of Mildred's friends talks about how easy it is to raise her children by just sticking them in front of the TV all day makes it hard to believe this novel was written in 1953.
I love that Bradbury tells the entire story from Montag's perspective, allowing us to see how hollow and empty his marriage is, and how he escapes from it.
Neil Gaiman once wrote that when he read it as a teenager, he thought it was about independence and thinking for yourself, and I agree, if everyone tried to be the same, that would go against what makes us human.
I really hope we get a 70th anniversary edition next year.
What is your opinion of this book ?
And I really don't understand why Pewdiepie hates it.
Edit: I had no idea my cakeday was today as well; what are the odds ?