The freshman English Accelerated class is working on their next novel. In past quarters they have read “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding and a choice memoir. Now, the class is reading “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury.

The novel is a classic and its genre is Science Fiction and Dystopian. It was originally published in 1953. Guy Montag is a fireman, whose job is to burn books. His marriage is full of unhappiness and discord.

Then Montag meets Clarisse, his young neighbor who changes the way he views books in the world. She makes him start to question his entire life especially his job.

Freshman Natalie Bonin said, “It is even more important for adults (to read ‘Fahrenheit 451’) because they are the ones cultivating the world.”

This is regarded as Bradbury’s best work. It has won the Prometheus Hall of Fame Award and the Retro Hugo Award for Best Novel. Goodreads gives the book 3.96 stars and Barnes and Nobles gives it 4.2 stars.

It is ironic that a story on banning books, was banned. Some people did not like the profanity or parts of the novel that supposedly went against religious beliefs.
Bonin said, “I think it is an insult to Bradbury that this book was banned because he is trying to teach people that reading is important in our society. Banning his book prevents him from sharing this message to others.”

In a middle school in Irvine, CA they used copies of the book that had all of the cuss words crossed out.

Bradbury wrote, “‘Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.’”

For more information about this book click here.