Bradbury, R. (2009). Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. ISBN: 9780809051014
· Plot Summary
Guy Montag is a fireman, but in the world in he lives, fireman set fire to the houses because they contain books. The houses are fireproof, and few people in the city recall circumstances being any other way. While working to work one evening, he meets Clarisse McClellan, an insightful young woman that seems far wiser than the majority of the people Montag knows. The two become friends, and when Clarisse is killed without Montag's wife (Mildred) bothering to tell him, Montag realizes that there is something very wrong with the world. After seeing a woman burn herself over her book collection, this idea is solidified. Montag begins to question, to the horror of his wife and boss, the latter of which explains how the bookless nation came to be. The majority no longer wanted what books contained; they craved quick information, and amusement. To appease their ideas, the books were outlawed, and the position of fireman changed to that of arsonist. After his wife reports him for possession of books, he becomes an enemy of the state, fleeing to a location outside the city where he meets a cast of former professors, philosophers, and simple lovers of the written word. They have each memorized a book, then burned the hard copy version, housing the information in their own minds until the day when it is right to share with the rest of the world.
· Critical Evaluation
Fans of Bradbury will not be disappointed by this rendition of the novel. The content is intact, and Bradbury's authorization comes with a new introduction. Within the graphic novel, the mood is dark, the pictures set in muted tones of black, gray, blue, and taupe. This is consistent throughout, except for those rare elements that need to be highlighted as important for the reader, such as the scenes of the fires. It in those cells that the reader will principally see shades of vivid oranges, red, and yellows.
· Reader’s Annotation
While it is not the original, this graphic version is suitable for someone needing a quick understanding of the content. Enjoyable throughout, despite the grim subject matter.
· Information about the author
Ray Bradbury began his literary career in the 1940s, and has proven to be an extremely prolific writer. His works include novels, plays, screenplays, poetry, and short stories, mainly within the mystery, science fiction, and fantasy genres. He has been award the National Medal of Arts, a World Fantasy Award, an Emmy, and a special citation from the Pulitzer Prize Board in 2007, just to name a few.
· Genre
Science Fiction
· Curriculum Ties
English
Journalism
· Booktalking Ideas
Censorship and common themes.
Mass hysteria and its effect on society.
Influence of global media on group consciousness.
· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-9/Ages 11-14
· Challenge Issues
There is the possibility that some individuals may object to the language used in the novel, the amount of violence, and the incidences of suicide/attempted suicide. Noting out that the instance of swearing it limited to one may alleviate the trouble on point one. For points two and three, it should be explained that these circumstances are purely fictional, and arise from the suppression of individual thought and feeling as encouraged by the government in the novel.
· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
The original novel is one of the great literary classics, and it was nice to see it updated in a version that even reluctant readers can enjoy. The themes and ideas have lost none of their importance through this interpretation, and I noticed that there was a special poster made for this adaptation of the novel posted in the hallway where I worked (SBCC).
