Sunday 31 July 2011

Fahenheit 451 - Raymond Bradbury

Montag lives with his wife, he's not contented in his marriage but seems satisfied with his job, he's a fireman.

But the world in which he lives is in the future (the book was written in 1953), and things are slightly different. People watch television screens the size of a whole wall - sometimes on all four walls, and books are banned.

Because they contain ideas that might influence the population, books are burnt, and it's the job of firemen like Montag to do the burning when they get the call about illegal books - but not just the books, but also the home of the owner.

But Montag starts to feel differently, and to question received wisdom, and his role as a fireman.

I've been meaning to read this book for years, I love books about books and I'm a bit of a closet sci-fi fan.

What really struck me about the story is how plausible the whole thing is, but also how even more scary real life is. It's unlikely that governments will ban books - after all if they are able to control their content that is a much better way of controlling the population. No, what is more likely is that the population are going to lose interest in books and reading - in favour of the giant tv screens that are almost like those in the book.

This was a short book, easy to read but a slow burn (every pun intended!), it took me a while to get into it.

I'm keen to see the film now, although I don't expect it to be as good as the book.

Bought from a book sale at Maltby Council offices.
19th - 31st July 2011