Fahrenheit 451

One of my favorite books of all times is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. We all take for granted our freedom to read books. But, imagine a futuristic time and place where books are banned, illegal in fact. Firemen don’t put out fires; actually their job is to burn books. Guy Montag is a fireman who, after getting to know his 17 year old neighbor, Clarisse, starts to question his job and society. He begins hiding books, a crime which could result in more than just his books and house being burned. His wife doesn’t understand his quest for ideas. She only wants him to work harder so they might be able to afford a fourth TV wall. Hard to believe but, when she discovers his collection, she reports him to the government. Although originally written in 1953, this book is as relevant today as it was then. It truly makes one think about what could happen in a society where people stop thinking independently. By the way, Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which books burn.