Fahrenheit 451
16 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, May 27, 2005
One of my all-time favourite books, a true horror-story for book lovers.
Farenheit 451 is the temperature at which book paper catches fire and burns.
"Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to burn books, which are forbidden, being the source of all discord and unhappiness. Even so, Montag is unhappy; there is discord in his marriage. Are books hidden in his house? The Mechanical Hound of the Fire Department, armed with a lethal hypodermic, escorted by helicopters, is ready to track down those dissidents who defy society to preserve and read books."
Farenheit 451 is the temperature at which book paper catches fire and burns.
"Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to burn books, which are forbidden, being the source of all discord and unhappiness. Even so, Montag is unhappy; there is discord in his marriage. Are books hidden in his house? The Mechanical Hound of the Fire Department, armed with a lethal hypodermic, escorted by helicopters, is ready to track down those dissidents who defy society to preserve and read books."
Journal Entry 2 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, May 27, 2005
This book is going on a ring, to keep one step ahead of the firemen! *g*
Ring members are currently:
nice-cup-of-tea - read
Sunflowergirl - read
Spacecadetlv426 - read
kangaroo - here
mellowdaisy
drutt
JoeSoap
coolboxuk
squirk
droogie
molyneux
Katie1980
Minx2012
chelseagirl
Acanthium32
Ring members are currently:
nice-cup-of-tea - read
Sunflowergirl - read
Spacecadetlv426 - read
kangaroo - here
mellowdaisy
drutt
JoeSoap
coolboxuk
squirk
droogie
molyneux
Katie1980
Minx2012
chelseagirl
Acanthium32
Received this today from Wistfuldragon - thanks! I'm the first on the bookring list (hurrah!) so will read and send on as soon as possible. I liked the 2 candles that Mary enclosed, and will replace them with 2 from my collection - nice touch given the book! :-)
This was an incredible book, which I'm so glad I read. I knew the title, but had never picked up the book in a library or bookstore. As wistfuldragon says, truly a book for booklovers. The introduction by Bradbury is well worth reading, to get an idea of his inspiration for the story.
Sadly, many aspects of the story are already true of our society. At one point, the fire chief talks to Montag about how and why society changed, and why books were banned. He talks about society speeding up, people wanting only to read the 'classics digest' until finally people just watched television. This 'speeding up' is already true of our society I think. I loved all the fire imagery, and references to salamanders and the phoenix. Indeed, there is a sense of destruction but also the promise of redemption and restoration at the end of the book.
A truly frightening image of an apocalyptic world, and a warning to all book lovers to appreciate our freedoms, and a call to arms to appreciate the time and patience that we possess in order to read, understand, devour and love our books. Hurrah!
Sadly, many aspects of the story are already true of our society. At one point, the fire chief talks to Montag about how and why society changed, and why books were banned. He talks about society speeding up, people wanting only to read the 'classics digest' until finally people just watched television. This 'speeding up' is already true of our society I think. I loved all the fire imagery, and references to salamanders and the phoenix. Indeed, there is a sense of destruction but also the promise of redemption and restoration at the end of the book.
A truly frightening image of an apocalyptic world, and a warning to all book lovers to appreciate our freedoms, and a call to arms to appreciate the time and patience that we possess in order to read, understand, devour and love our books. Hurrah!
Posted to Sunflowergirl 10/6/5 B Post. Happy Reading!
This book arrived a couple of days ago but I didn't get chance to journal it right away.
It's next on my list to read and I'm really looking forward to starting it. I've seen the film of it and want to see how the two compare.
Thanks for sharing this book.
It's next on my list to read and I'm really looking forward to starting it. I've seen the film of it and want to see how the two compare.
Thanks for sharing this book.
This was a brilliant book. I loved the film when I saw it a couple of years ago and the book was even better. It's quite chilling at times when you can see aspects of our society already reflected in this book, like the way TV is taking over our lives etc. There were passages in the book that will stay with me for a long time such as "... Give the people contests they win by remembering the words to more popular songs or the names of state capitals... Cram them with full of non-combustible data, chock them so damned full of 'facts' they feel stuffed, but absolutely 'brilliant' with information. Then they'll feel they're thinking, they'll get a sense of motion without moving." It feels like our society is moving in this direction at times.
Personally I loved the passage on page 164 that starts "Everyone must leave something behind when he dies... Something your hand touched in some way that your soul has somewhere to go when you die..." Having lost a lot of people who were very close to me, this passage really struck a chord.
Thanks for letting me be a part of this ring and for giving me the chance to read this book.
Personally I loved the passage on page 164 that starts "Everyone must leave something behind when he dies... Something your hand touched in some way that your soul has somewhere to go when you die..." Having lost a lot of people who were very close to me, this passage really struck a chord.
Thanks for letting me be a part of this ring and for giving me the chance to read this book.
I'm with spacecadetlv426 now so I'm going to leave the book here with him as he is next on the list.
Journal Entry 9 by spacecadetlv426 from Hull, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, July 9, 2005
My girlfriend (sunflowergirl) left this book with me a couple of days ago. I started reading it today and will journal it again when I've finished it.
Journal Entry 10 by spacecadetlv426 from Hull, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, July 17, 2005
I saw the film of Fahrenheit 451 for the first time about 10 years ago and have watched it twice since. The suppression of individual thought, feelings, emotions and free will was scary in the film, but in the book this suppression is even scarier. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Fahrenheit 451 especially after reading the preface on how events in and around the author’s life inspired him to write it. The fact that Ray Bradbury struggled to have this novel published because of politics at the time which left publishers not wanting to print ‘visions of censorship’ to be quite ironic.
*****
I've PM'd kangaroo and now have her address. I will post this book off to her in the next few days.
*****
I've PM'd kangaroo and now have her address. I will post this book off to her in the next few days.
Journal Entry 11 by spacecadetlv426 from Hull, East Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, July 23, 2005
I posted the book to Kangaroo yesterday afternoon by 2nd Class Post so it should be there soon.
Safely arrived yesterday - but unfortunately it's joined a rather large queue. I think they conspire amongst themselves to arrive all at once you know. :P
Journal Entry 13 by kangaroo from Barnet, Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, September 22, 2005
I'm glad I read this, but lord, it was scary.
Aside from all the highly combustible books, my favourite passage was on page 19:
"He was not happy. He was not happy. He said the words to himself. He recognised this as the state of affairs. He wore his happiness like a mask and the girl had run off across the lawn with the mask and there was no way of going to knock on her door and ask for it back."
Many thanks for the kick to read this, it's one which I had vaguely been thinking about reading for years. Now to send on to the next person...
Aside from all the highly combustible books, my favourite passage was on page 19:
"He was not happy. He was not happy. He said the words to himself. He recognised this as the state of affairs. He wore his happiness like a mask and the girl had run off across the lawn with the mask and there was no way of going to knock on her door and ask for it back."
Many thanks for the kick to read this, it's one which I had vaguely been thinking about reading for years. Now to send on to the next person...
I received this in the post this morning and will get on to reading it straight away. It seems a fairly small book so it shouldn't be too long before I pass it on again!
I found this book very interesting, which I didn't think I would at first! The story soon drew me in, and I couldn't put it down because of wanting to know what was going to happen next. Some of the imagery was scary - three walls of a room dominated by huge TV screens where 'the family' live!
Overall I thought it was very enjoyable, and have PMd the next on the list for an address!
Overall I thought it was very enjoyable, and have PMd the next on the list for an address!
Book has gone off in the post to drutt today!
Afraid I nicked it off Drutt and read it first... thoroughly enjoyed it.
I guess it's like many books of its type - thought-provoking. The war theme struck home especially, probably because of the way that our politicians are using fear to keep us all in check... but then I'm already a 'liberal leftie' so I guess I'm a little biased here ;)
Passing it on to Drutt now.
I guess it's like many books of its type - thought-provoking. The war theme struck home especially, probably because of the way that our politicians are using fear to keep us all in check... but then I'm already a 'liberal leftie' so I guess I'm a little biased here ;)
Passing it on to Drutt now.
This was sinister and chilling; a book I really ought to have a long time ago.
The seashell thing got to me... I'm now a trifle concerned that I may be a too-frequent user of my beloved ipod. Hmmm. ;)
The book's now on its way to coolboxuk.
The seashell thing got to me... I'm now a trifle concerned that I may be a too-frequent user of my beloved ipod. Hmmm. ;)
The book's now on its way to coolboxuk.
Received today - going on MTB, next in line after what I'm on at the moment.
I finished this in a one-night session two days ago but needed a couple of days to digest it. Reading the author's preface I had nearly discarded the book, thinking he had such a weird imagination and such a preoccupation with fire (I'm totally scared of fire!). But I persevered and was rewarded with a fantiastically compelling read! The beginning of the story seemed hard to understand and disconnected but things explained themselves one by one and the story is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you on your toes.
It is a scary picture of a future world where are books are forbidden, where basically having an opinion or thinking for yourself are forbidden, where thrill and violence are the only accepted pastimes. I think the scariest bit is to feel how people get drawn into whatever lifestyle is prescribed to them and accept it as the given and proper status quo, and how few will dare rebel and bear the consequences... Food for thought.
Although the book ends on a hopeful note - after the wholescale destruction which is "the wages of sin" here, the good survive because they had been driven out, and are set to conquer what is left - I thought it was really all rather sad. But a very commendable book!
It is a scary picture of a future world where are books are forbidden, where basically having an opinion or thinking for yourself are forbidden, where thrill and violence are the only accepted pastimes. I think the scariest bit is to feel how people get drawn into whatever lifestyle is prescribed to them and accept it as the given and proper status quo, and how few will dare rebel and bear the consequences... Food for thought.
Although the book ends on a hopeful note - after the wholescale destruction which is "the wages of sin" here, the good survive because they had been driven out, and are set to conquer what is left - I thought it was really all rather sad. But a very commendable book!
Well, that Anonymous Reader was me. I don't know what's happening with this programme - it has been terribly slow and then it bonked me out (which I didn't notice!). I'd left another journal and changed my profile and everything was okay, and I know I didn't log out, but... Sorry for that.
Our wonderful postal service has just returned this package to me (address on the back) - it must be a major skill to see on which side of the envelope the stamps are! I'll try and send it off again tomorrow - sorry for the wait.
Journal Entry 23 by squirk from Lambeth, Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Hurrah! The book has arrived safely. Unfortunately, due to the attack of the BookRings and Rays, I won't get to read it for a few weeks. It's a little book though so it shouldn't take me long once I begin.
An excellent read - really thought-provoking, and a little prescient regarding TV culture. Can't see books dying a death though, thank goodness.Posting to Droogie today.
Journal Entry 25 by droogie from Nottingham, not specified not specified on Thursday, March 16, 2006
Thank you very much, I really look forward to reading this asap
Journal Entry 26 by droogie from Nottingham, not specified not specified on Thursday, March 30, 2006
I loved this, short, but it perfectly made it's point, then ended! The penultimate page - about humans not learning was the highlight.
This was waiting for me when I got home from a couple of nights away in Torquay. Thanks for sharing it, and I'll get to it as soon as I can :o)
I found this to be a rather bizarre book - it wasn't at all what I was expecting. I quite enjoyed it, I think, and it didn't take all that long to read, but I wouldn't put it on my list of top books to read, sadly.
Sorry I can't be more positive about it, but I guess it just goes to show that you can't always assume that people with generally similar tastes will like all the same books! *lol*
Thanks for sharing - it's good to have had the chance to read this.
Sorry I can't be more positive about it, but I guess it just goes to show that you can't always assume that people with generally similar tastes will like all the same books! *lol*
Thanks for sharing - it's good to have had the chance to read this.
Journal Entry 29 by katie1980 at mailing to a fellow bookcrosser in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, April 7, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (4/8/2006 UTC) at mailing to a fellow bookcrosser in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Off to minx2012 in the morning, when I'm off to the post office to send on a whole load of books to various people!
Off to minx2012 in the morning, when I'm off to the post office to send on a whole load of books to various people!
Oh divinities, they all arrive at once...
I'm reading a book a non-BC friend loaned me, so that has to take precedence right now but then I'll get cracking on this.
I'm reading a book a non-BC friend loaned me, so that has to take precedence right now but then I'll get cracking on this.
I wasn't impressed, sorry.
I've never really gelled with short stories, and it was obvious to me that Ray Bradbury is more of a short story writer. While I appreciated the frighteningly accurate vision of a future obsessed with reality TV (the "family" seems a lot like an interactive Big Brother to me), celebrity and anything but facing up to actual reality, I just didn't get on with this book.
Perhaps the film would better satisfy my urge to enjoy such a nightmare vision from a safe distance.
I've never really gelled with short stories, and it was obvious to me that Ray Bradbury is more of a short story writer. While I appreciated the frighteningly accurate vision of a future obsessed with reality TV (the "family" seems a lot like an interactive Big Brother to me), celebrity and anything but facing up to actual reality, I just didn't get on with this book.
Perhaps the film would better satisfy my urge to enjoy such a nightmare vision from a safe distance.
Journal Entry 32 by chelseagirl from Faringdon, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, May 13, 2006
Received today, many thanks. Joins a huge pile of ring books, I'm afraid :0( I'll read and pass on as soon as I can though.
Journal Entry 33 by chelseagirl from Faringdon, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Monday, August 14, 2006
I've finally got round to reading this!
I'm not a big fan of science fiction and found this rather heavy-going despite its brevity. The use of language just didn't grab me and pull me in. Having said that, I did find the issues it raised really interesting and the further I got into the book the more I warmed to it. The vision of the not-so-distant future it paints is sadly not unimaginable as we seem to be almost there already.
Thanks for the chance of reading this - not one of my top reads this year but definitely a book worth persevering with.
Off to Acanthium32 as soon as i have an address. I'm going away for a week though so if I don't get one before I leave there may be a short delay, sorry!
I'm not a big fan of science fiction and found this rather heavy-going despite its brevity. The use of language just didn't grab me and pull me in. Having said that, I did find the issues it raised really interesting and the further I got into the book the more I warmed to it. The vision of the not-so-distant future it paints is sadly not unimaginable as we seem to be almost there already.
Thanks for the chance of reading this - not one of my top reads this year but definitely a book worth persevering with.
Off to Acanthium32 as soon as i have an address. I'm going away for a week though so if I don't get one before I leave there may be a short delay, sorry!
Arrived earlier in the week - bookcrossing website has been playing hard to get!
Squirk, the bookmark is absolutely darling! Wistful, it might be MIA by the time I return the book...
Squirk, the bookmark is absolutely darling! Wistful, it might be MIA by the time I return the book...
Finished last week, must remember to journal promptly!
A very sinister glimpse into a possible future, that had me gripped from the beginning. Characters were well drawn and engaging. Poor Clarisse! Uplifting ending full of promise and hope rounded off a very satisfying read.
Hard to believe that this book was written over 50 years old now.
Will be off home again soon, along with the Jude Fisher I've just finished
A very sinister glimpse into a possible future, that had me gripped from the beginning. Characters were well drawn and engaging. Poor Clarisse! Uplifting ending full of promise and hope rounded off a very satisfying read.
Hard to believe that this book was written over 50 years old now.
Will be off home again soon, along with the Jude Fisher I've just finished
