Fahrenheit 451 is a popular novel written in 1953 by Ray Bradbury. The book’s setting is positioned in a dystopian and futuristic society where all information is heavily censored through the burning of books and all aspects of life are controlled and closely observed. The protagonist, Guy Montag, is a fireman, but instead of putting out fires these firemen set houses on fire in order to burn all discovered books. Personally, I enjoyed witnessing Montag’s character development throughout the story as he slowly comes across more and more information and realizes what he’s doing is wrong. Seeing Montag slowly start to rebel against the system for what he believed was right was what made the book so intriguing. 

Warning: the start of the book can be a bit confusing and draggy. In addition, Bradbury’s strange way of writing only adds to the readers confusion but as the book moves forward the pacing of the story gets quicker and quicker and as a reader you get used to the writing style.

The book is a reference to nazi Germany, and the burning of all jewish books and literature during the late 1930s and early 1940s. The book’s society can also be compared to isolated and controlling places like North Korea, where all aspects of people’s lives are controlled and information is heavily censored from the masses. Bradbury does a great job at highlighting the dangers of information censorship and general ignorance to tyrannical leadership.

While Bradbury uses many literary devices to enhance the reader's experience, I think his various uses of intertextuality and character foils achieve this goal the best. He consistently references relevant poems and novels that help the reader understand the situation and make many connections. In addition, there are many characters in the book that are written to be polar opposites, most notably Clarisse and Mildred, to make a point or allow the reader and Montag to make certain connections and realizations.

Overall, I would give the book a 8/10 because its topics and themes are very intriguing, unique, and relevant even today but the story in itself can seem a bit strange to audiences nowadays and the book can feel a bit slow faced in the first few chapters.