Cover of Fahrenheit 451
Read Time: ~3.1 hr

Fahrenheit 451

by Ray Bradbury (1953)

About this book

Fahrenheit 451 is a 1953 dystopian novel by American writer Ray Bradbury. Often regarded as one of his best works, the novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found. The book's tagline explains the title as "'the temperature at which book paper catches fire, and burns": the autoignition temperature of paper. The lead character, Guy Montag, is a fireman who becomes disillusioned with his role of censoring literature and destroying knowledge, eventually quitting his job and committing himself to the preservation of literary and cultural writings. The novel has been the subject of interpretations focusing on the historical role of book burning in suppressing dissenting ideas for change. In a 1956 radio interview, Bradbury said that he wrote Fahrenheit 451 because of his concerns at the time (during the McCarthy era) about the threat of book burning in the United States. In later years, he described the book as a commentary on how mass media reduces interest in reading literature. In 1954, Fahrenheit 451 won the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature and the Commonwealth Club of California Gold Medal. It later won the Prometheus "Hall of Fame" Award in 1984 and a "Retro" Hugo Award, one of a limited number of Best Novel Retro Hugos ever given, in 2004. Bradbury was honored with a Spoken Word Grammy nomination for his 1976 audiobook version. --- Also contained in: - 451° по Фаренгейту: Рассказы - 451° по Фаренгейту: повести и рассказы - Works

Setting / LocationGlobal
Story EraLate 20th Century
Protagonist / CoreNotable Characters

Readers who enjoyed this also loved

Cover of Mission of Gravity

Mission of Gravity

Hal Clement

From back cover Del Rey paperback January 1978: CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS For a profit -- and adventure -- Barlennan would sail the Bree thousands of miles across uncharted waters, into regions where gravity itself played strange tricks. He would dare the perils of strange tribes and strange creatures -- even dicker with those strange aliens from beyond the skies, though the concept of another world was unknown to the inhabitants of Mesklin. But in spite of the incredible technology of the strangers and without regard for their enourmous size, Barlennan had the notion of turning the deal to an unsuspected advantage for himself... all in all a considerable enterprise for a being very much resembling a fifteen-inch caterpillar!

Cover of Sword of the Demon

Sword of the Demon

Richard A. Lupoff

Through realms of oriental splender and superhuman conflict, a beautiful woman warrior and a fierce man-god journey to challenge a being more awesome than the gods for a magical sword that holds the power of death . . . and the key to enlightenment."A sensuous, exotic odyssey through demon-haunted seas of swordplay, sorcery, conflict, and passion . . . " --Robert Silverberg"One of the most beautiful things I've ever read." --Theodore Sturgeon

Cover of Destination Void

Destination Void

Frank Herbert

Destination Void is a celebrated work by Frank Herbert (Hugo Award Winner, Nebula Award Winner), recognized for masterclass storytelling and lasting literary resonance.

Cover of The Light Fantastic

The Light Fantastic

Terry Pratchett

The Light Fantastic is a celebrated work by Terry Pratchett (Carnegie Medal Winner, World Fantasy Life Achievement), recognized for masterclass storytelling and lasting literary resonance.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury | Literally Just Books