If you are thinking about a book to read this summer, consider Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
The book primarily focuses on the historical role of book burning in suppressing dissenting ideas.
In the story, the main character is a firefighter named Montag who lives in a world where books have lost popularity due to the growth of TV and films. Montag steals a book from a book burning and is warned about the dangers from his chief. The chief tells how in the past, groups protested books for their controversial content which led to books no longer being published. Authors, teachers, and critics are now seen as enemies in an increasingly anti-intellectual world. The chief warns Montag to burn the book so trouble will befall him. Of course, I am not going to tell you any more about the story....read the book to find out what happens to Montag.
Many readers feel this book carries of theme of anti-censorship but in an interview with Ray Bradburn in 1970, he explained that the book explores the effects of television and mas media on the reading of literature.
Read this classic book and share with us your thoughts and insights.
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