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Ray Bradbury Graphic Novels
Φαρενάιτ 451: Διασκευή σε κόμικς
Πριν από περίπου πενήντα πέντε χρόνια ο Ρέι Μπράντμπερι, ένας από τους σπουδαιότερους σύγχρονους αμερικανούς συγγραφείς, στο καλτ μυθιστόρημά του Φαρενάιτ 451 οραματίστηκε ένα δυστοπικό μέλλον. Ο Μπράντμπερι σε συνεργασία με τον καλλιτέχνη Τιμ Χάμιλτον μετέτρεψαν αυτό το σύγχρονο αριστούργημα σε ένα εντυπωσιακό graphic novel.
Ο κόσμος του Γκάι Μόνταγκ, ενός πυροσβέστη ταγμένου στο καθήκον της καταστροφής των βιβλίων, ζωντανεύει μέσα από πολύχρωμες εικόνες. Η αφύπνισή του, η εξέγερσή του απέναντι στο σατανικό κράτος που ελέγχει τη σκέψη των πολιτών του και η συνειδητοποίηση ότι η φιλοσοφία, η θεολογία και η λογοτεχνία είναι ανυπολόγιστης αξίας αποτυπώνονται μοναδικά σε ένα έξοχο βιβλίο που θα μείνει αλησμόνητο στους αναγνώστες.
Ο κόσμος του Γκάι Μόνταγκ, ενός πυροσβέστη ταγμένου στο καθήκον της καταστροφής των βιβλίων, ζωντανεύει μέσα από πολύχρωμες εικόνες. Η αφύπνισή του, η εξέγερσή του απέναντι στο σατανικό κράτος που ελέγχει τη σκέψη των πολιτών του και η συνειδητοποίηση ότι η φιλοσοφία, η θεολογία και η λογοτεχνία είναι ανυπολόγιστης αξίας αποτυπώνονται μοναδικά σε ένα έξοχο βιβλίο που θα μείνει αλησμόνητο στους αναγνώστες.
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
362 people are currently reading
8259 people want to read
About the author
Tim Hamilton
75 books24 followersTim Hamilton lives in Brooklyn, NY where he is often walking his dog and saying hi to other dogs in between saying hi to stray cats and then bandaging his hands because not all stray cats want to say hi.
His clients include: The New Yorker, The New York Times, Cicada Magazine, Dark Horse, Marvel, DC Comics, Mad Magazine, Nickelodeon Magazine, Lifetime, Amazon Studios, Holiday House, Fast Company Magazine and PublicAffairs.
He has written and illustrated books for young readers such as, The Big Fib, But! and Is That A Cat?
He publishes his own comic anthology, Rabbit Who Fights here: https://gumroad.com/timhamiltonrwf?so...
In 2010 he adapted Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451″ into a graphic novel for Hill & Wang with Mr. Bradbury’s blessing. The resulting book was nominated for an Eisner award in the “Best Adaptation of Another Work” category.
His clients include: The New Yorker, The New York Times, Cicada Magazine, Dark Horse, Marvel, DC Comics, Mad Magazine, Nickelodeon Magazine, Lifetime, Amazon Studios, Holiday House, Fast Company Magazine and PublicAffairs.
He has written and illustrated books for young readers such as, The Big Fib, But! and Is That A Cat?
He publishes his own comic anthology, Rabbit Who Fights here: https://gumroad.com/timhamiltonrwf?so...
In 2010 he adapted Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451″ into a graphic novel for Hill & Wang with Mr. Bradbury’s blessing. The resulting book was nominated for an Eisner award in the “Best Adaptation of Another Work” category.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,301 reviews
November 7, 2025
There are some books that are so deep that you look forward to how other people interpret their core message - just to make sure that you did not miss anything. Fahrenheit 451 is such a book and this adaptation helped me to visualize several scenes that I was a little 'fuzzy' about. The introduction by Ray Bradbury is wonderful - the art is atmospheric; even the panel spacing conveys a feeling of being trapped in a world that has lost any semblance of sanity.
February 14, 2025
This is Ray Bradbury's authorised adaptation of his classic novel Fahrenheit 451 into a graphic novel illustrated by Tim Hamilton. In his introduction, Ray Bradbury says that he views this as yet another take on his original book - a "further rejuvenation", as he terms it. He can trace many elements of the story to ideas that had been percolating in his subconscious. The first was an occasion when he was taking a walk around the block, and was stopped and questioned by a police officer. The idea of being challenged for merely being a pedestrian took root.
He also references an early story he wrote entitled "The Exiles", in which the greatest Fantasy authors in history were exiled to Mars, while their books were burned on Earth. Another story, "Usher II", was about a writer of Fantasy being made fun of by intellectuals, who ridiculed all the grotesques of Edgar Allan Poe. In "Pillar of Fire", a man rose from the dead to reenact "Dracula" and Frankenstein's monster.
Bradbury states,
"I brought all my characters onstage again and ran them through my typewriter, letting my fingers tell the stories and bring forth the ghosts of other tales from other times… What you have here now is a pastiche of my former lives, my former fears, my inhibitions and my strange and mysterious and unrecognized predictions of the future…what I did was name a metaphor and let myself run free, allowing my subconscious to surface with all kinds of wild ideas."
Fahrenheit 451 lends itself surprisingly well to reinterpretation as a graphic novel. Of course with a superior tale such as this, the piece is bound to be story-led. Nevertheless the Artwork in this book is more than adequate, and adds another dimension to the story. It is a nice touch too that the reader is able not merely to visualise the books to be burned, but to actually see images of them! Most pages are predominantly yellow/reds, or cool blue/grey-greens with silhouettes in the after-dark periods, to enhance the mood. The story is as gripping as ever, and the characters declaim well in this stark medium, their speeches being undistracted by superfluous words, and the emotional power behind them heightened by the visual images.
An enjoyable read, and a very good choice to be interpreted as a graphic novel.
He also references an early story he wrote entitled "The Exiles", in which the greatest Fantasy authors in history were exiled to Mars, while their books were burned on Earth. Another story, "Usher II", was about a writer of Fantasy being made fun of by intellectuals, who ridiculed all the grotesques of Edgar Allan Poe. In "Pillar of Fire", a man rose from the dead to reenact "Dracula" and Frankenstein's monster.
Bradbury states,
"I brought all my characters onstage again and ran them through my typewriter, letting my fingers tell the stories and bring forth the ghosts of other tales from other times… What you have here now is a pastiche of my former lives, my former fears, my inhibitions and my strange and mysterious and unrecognized predictions of the future…what I did was name a metaphor and let myself run free, allowing my subconscious to surface with all kinds of wild ideas."
Fahrenheit 451 lends itself surprisingly well to reinterpretation as a graphic novel. Of course with a superior tale such as this, the piece is bound to be story-led. Nevertheless the Artwork in this book is more than adequate, and adds another dimension to the story. It is a nice touch too that the reader is able not merely to visualise the books to be burned, but to actually see images of them! Most pages are predominantly yellow/reds, or cool blue/grey-greens with silhouettes in the after-dark periods, to enhance the mood. The story is as gripping as ever, and the characters declaim well in this stark medium, their speeches being undistracted by superfluous words, and the emotional power behind them heightened by the visual images.
An enjoyable read, and a very good choice to be interpreted as a graphic novel.
April 2, 2012
This is a mind-boggling novel. Because of television and other forms of entertainment, the people begin to hate reading books. Then when a controversy happens regarding some writings, the government decides to burn all books. Owning and reading books thus become prohibited. Penalty is death.
Farenheit 451 is a 1953 dystopian work by Ray Bradbury. My first by him. The writing is ordinary but the idea, although scary, is engaging. Maybe because I love to read and I would not want all my books to burn. There is a scene here where an old lady chooses to die instead of burning her books. I thought I would do the same if and when this happened in real life. I love my books! Especially those that I've read already and chose to keep for sentimental reasons.
The title is believed to be the temperature when paper can auto-ignite, i.e., burn by itself.
Since mine was an illustrated edition or graphic novel, the reading was a breeze. Although, the illustrations were not really something to marvel at. They were all dark and gloomy basically reflecting the mood and theme of the novel. But there were lengthy narratives too since maybe the illustrator wanted to capture the distinctive prose of Bradbury.
I liked this novel since it highlighted the idiocy or "partial information devoid of context" of watching television. Readers should celebrate that, there was once upon a time, Ray Bradbury, who rallied behind the importance of reading written works of art instead of watching senseless television shows. I would imagine that in the 50's, not many people enjoyed having this pointed out to them.
Ray Bradbury did not think though that time will come that physical books will dwindle in number to give way to e-books. Well, police can still burn e-book machines. And because they are very costly, I will not be surprised if some people here in the Philippines will indeed choose to be killed instead of burning their e-book readers!
Farenheit 451 is a 1953 dystopian work by Ray Bradbury. My first by him. The writing is ordinary but the idea, although scary, is engaging. Maybe because I love to read and I would not want all my books to burn. There is a scene here where an old lady chooses to die instead of burning her books. I thought I would do the same if and when this happened in real life. I love my books! Especially those that I've read already and chose to keep for sentimental reasons.
The title is believed to be the temperature when paper can auto-ignite, i.e., burn by itself.
Since mine was an illustrated edition or graphic novel, the reading was a breeze. Although, the illustrations were not really something to marvel at. They were all dark and gloomy basically reflecting the mood and theme of the novel. But there were lengthy narratives too since maybe the illustrator wanted to capture the distinctive prose of Bradbury.
I liked this novel since it highlighted the idiocy or "partial information devoid of context" of watching television. Readers should celebrate that, there was once upon a time, Ray Bradbury, who rallied behind the importance of reading written works of art instead of watching senseless television shows. I would imagine that in the 50's, not many people enjoyed having this pointed out to them.
Ray Bradbury did not think though that time will come that physical books will dwindle in number to give way to e-books. Well, police can still burn e-book machines. And because they are very costly, I will not be surprised if some people here in the Philippines will indeed choose to be killed instead of burning their e-book readers!
July 26, 2017
This is a solid adaptation of Bradbury's classic dystopian novel in part about censorship, the plot of which I won't repeat, since there are thousands of reviews on the original novel page. I will say that rereading it in this format reminded me of the horror/thrill of reading about the memorization of all the great books in resistance. I've read and taught the book many times, so appreciate the introduction by Bradbury authorizing the adaptation. That endorsement was probably necessary, since it might seem ironic that a book taking away many of Bradbury's actual words--which might seem like a kind of censorship--would be published with his blessing.
The introduction to a later edition of Bradbury's novel details the remarkable story of his reading some of his book to a high school audience; he had forgotten his own copy, so read a copy borrowed from the classroom set. In reading it, he was chilled to realize that the publishers that had produced a generation of copies of his book had indeed censored it--taken out the swearing--which is especially outrageous in a book about state control of language.
But Bradbury's introduction to Hamilton's edition makes it clear that Bradbury's own story developed and grew in various forms, from an anecdote to a sketch to a short story to a novel. And a 1966 film version by Truffaut that he liked (and I have seen and taught). So this is just another version, and a good one, but it should not be read instead of the original, only in conjunction with it, as a way into it for struggling readers, maybe, or as an alternate interpretation of it.
The introduction to a later edition of Bradbury's novel details the remarkable story of his reading some of his book to a high school audience; he had forgotten his own copy, so read a copy borrowed from the classroom set. In reading it, he was chilled to realize that the publishers that had produced a generation of copies of his book had indeed censored it--taken out the swearing--which is especially outrageous in a book about state control of language.
But Bradbury's introduction to Hamilton's edition makes it clear that Bradbury's own story developed and grew in various forms, from an anecdote to a sketch to a short story to a novel. And a 1966 film version by Truffaut that he liked (and I have seen and taught). So this is just another version, and a good one, but it should not be read instead of the original, only in conjunction with it, as a way into it for struggling readers, maybe, or as an alternate interpretation of it.
May 18, 2017
Το κόμικ το πέτυχα πριν λίγες μέρες με λιγότερα από τέσσερα ευρώ και, φυσικά, το άρπαξα δίχως δεύτερη σκέψη. Το ομότιτλο μυθιστόρημα του Ρέι Μπράντμπερι, ένα από τα κλασσικότερα και πιο πολυδιαβασμένα δυστοπικά μυθιστορήματα εκεί έξω, το διάβασα τον Φεβρουάριο του 2013 και παραμένει ένα από τα καλύτερα βιβλία που έχω διαβάσει. Όπως καταλαβαίνετε, πριν αρχίσω την ανάγνωση του κόμικ, είχα βάλει σχετικά ψηλά τον πήχη. Και δεν απογοητεύτηκα.
Σίγουρα δεν φτάνει το βάθος του βιβλίου (είτε όσον αφορά την πλοκή, είτε όσον αφορά τους χαρακτήρες και τα μηνύματα της ιστορίας), όμως πρόκειται για μια άκρως αξιόλογη και σίγουρα τίμια προσπάθεια μεταφοράς ενός εμβληματικού μυθιστορήματος σε μορφή κόμικ. Δεν είναι και εύκολο πράγμα, εδώ που τα λέμε. Το σχέδιο είναι πολύ ωραίο και ιδιαίτερο, και σε συνδυασμό με τα χρώματα, περνάει στον αναγνώστη την μαυρίλα, την απαισιοδοξία και την κατήφεια που επικρατεί στην όλη ιστορία. Ο Μπράντμπερι το κατάφερε με τις περιγραφές του, ο Χάμιλτον το κατάφερε με το όλο σχέδιο, τις εκφράσεις των προσώπων και τα κάπως μουντά χρώματα.
Είναι ένα κόμικ που το προτείνω σε όλους, τόσο σε αυτούς που έχουν διαβάσει και απολαύσει το βιβλίο, όσο και σ'αυτούς που δεν το έχουν διαβάσει (βέβαια, προτείνω να το κάνουν άμεσα, γιατί είναι ένα εξαιρετικό βιβλίο!). Η ελληνική έκδοση ωραία μέσα στην απλότητά της.
Σίγουρα δεν φτάνει το βάθος του βιβλίου (είτε όσον αφορά την πλοκή, είτε όσον αφορά τους χαρακτήρες και τα μηνύματα της ιστορίας), όμως πρόκειται για μια άκρως αξιόλογη και σίγουρα τίμια προσπάθεια μεταφοράς ενός εμβληματικού μυθιστορήματος σε μορφή κόμικ. Δεν είναι και εύκολο πράγμα, εδώ που τα λέμε. Το σχέδιο είναι πολύ ωραίο και ιδιαίτερο, και σε συνδυασμό με τα χρώματα, περνάει στον αναγνώστη την μαυρίλα, την απαισιοδοξία και την κατήφεια που επικρατεί στην όλη ιστορία. Ο Μπράντμπερι το κατάφερε με τις περιγραφές του, ο Χάμιλτον το κατάφερε με το όλο σχέδιο, τις εκφράσεις των προσώπων και τα κάπως μουντά χρώματα.
Είναι ένα κόμικ που το προτείνω σε όλους, τόσο σε αυτούς που έχουν διαβάσει και απολαύσει το βιβλίο, όσο και σ'αυτούς που δεν το έχουν διαβάσει (βέβαια, προτείνω να το κάνουν άμεσα, γιατί είναι ένα εξαιρετικό βιβλίο!). Η ελληνική έκδοση ωραία μέσα στην απλότητά της.
January 22, 2018
B.R.A.CE. 2018 4 βιβλία με έναν αριθμό στον τίτλο ή στο εξώφυλλο
(Νο. 1)
Δεν ξέρω πολλά από graphic novels, νομίζω μάλιστα πως αυτό είναι το πρώτο που διαβάζω γιατί δεν θυμάμαι να έχει πέσει άλλο στα χέρια μου. Συνεπώς, μπορώ να μιλήσω αποκλειστικά για την πολύ υποκειμενική εντύπωση που μου έκανε το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο, χωρίς να έχω ιδιαίτερη άποψη για τη γενικότερη αξία του. Καλά πράγματα έχω διαβάσει στις κριτικές πάντως, οπότε δεν πρέπει να πέφτω πολύ έξω στην εκτίμησή μου, μιας και μου άρεσε πολύ. Ωραία εικονογράφηση και - χωρίς να έχω διαβάσει το βιβλίο του Bradburry - νομίζω ότι δεν ήταν άνισο στη μεταφορά του (όσο για την ιδέα του έργου, που ανήκει στο συγγραφέα του πρωτότυπου, είναι άκρως ενδιαφέρουσα και κατά κάποιον τρόπο παραμένει επίκαιρη, παρότι το βιβλίο γράφτηκε πριν από πενήντα χρόνια).
Ίσως θα έπρεπε να διαβάσω περισσότερα του είδους, πραγματικά το ευχαριστήθηκα.
Δεν ξέρω πολλά από graphic novels, νομίζω μάλιστα πως αυτό είναι το πρώτο που διαβάζω γιατί δεν θυμάμαι να έχει πέσει άλλο στα χέρια μου. Συνεπώς, μπορώ να μιλήσω αποκλειστικά για την πολύ υποκειμενική εντύπωση που μου έκανε το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο, χωρίς να έχω ιδιαίτερη άποψη για τη γενικότερη αξία του. Καλά πράγματα έχω διαβάσει στις κριτικές πάντως, οπότε δεν πρέπει να πέφτω πολύ έξω στην εκτίμησή μου, μιας και μου άρεσε πολύ. Ωραία εικονογράφηση και - χωρίς να έχω διαβάσει το βιβλίο του Bradburry - νομίζω ότι δεν ήταν άνισο στη μεταφορά του (όσο για την ιδέα του έργου, που ανήκει στο συγγραφέα του πρωτότυπου, είναι άκρως ενδιαφέρουσα και κατά κάποιον τρόπο παραμένει επίκαιρη, παρότι το βιβλίο γράφτηκε πριν από πενήντα χρόνια).
Ίσως θα έπρεπε να διαβάσω περισσότερα του είδους, πραγματικά το ευχαριστήθηκα.
March 18, 2018
Βαθμολογία: ★★★
Το 'Fahrenheit 451' είναι από τα βιβλία που δεν μπορώ να καταλάβω γιατί είχε και συνεχίζει να έχει τόσο μεγάλη απήχηση παγκοσμίως (κάτι που σίγουρα έχει συμβεί σε όλους μας με κάποιο κλασικό βιβλίο). Πέρα από τη θεματολογία του (δυστοπία, λογοκρισία, καύση βιβλίων που συγκλονίζει τους βιβλιόφιλους), το θεωρώ τρομερά υπανάπτυκτο και ως προς την πλοκή, αλλά κυρίως ως προς τους χαρακτήρες. Η διασκευή του σε κόμικ δεν μου άλλαξε την άποψη, αλλά το διασκέδασα λίγο περισσότερο.
Το 'Fahrenheit 451' είναι από τα βιβλία που δεν μπορώ να καταλάβω γιατί είχε και συνεχίζει να έχει τόσο μεγάλη απήχηση παγκοσμίως (κάτι που σίγουρα έχει συμβεί σε όλους μας με κάποιο κλασικό βιβλίο). Πέρα από τη θεματολογία του (δυστοπία, λογοκρισία, καύση βιβλίων που συγκλονίζει τους βιβλιόφιλους), το θεωρώ τρομερά υπανάπτυκτο και ως προς την πλοκή, αλλά κυρίως ως προς τους χαρακτήρες. Η διασκευή του σε κόμικ δεν μου άλλαξε την άποψη, αλλά το διασκέδασα λίγο περισσότερο.
August 16, 2020
"Remember, Montag. We're the happiness boys. We stand against the small tide of those who want to make everyone unhappy with conflicting theory and thought."
Montag works as a fireman. But not the kind we all know and love. His job is to burn books. That is all he does. Burn books and sometimes the people who (illegally) have them.
But what happens when his eyes are opened to what life has become?
That is the rest of the story.
I've read the original novel and I've seen the movie, so I could hardly pass up this version. And it is an excellent one, in my opinion. The artwork fits the narration perfectly, creating the exact mood you should be in when reading this book. I was impressed.
Ray Bradbury wrote an introduction for this 2009 edition, and at the end he asks any reader of this book to think about which book they would 'become' if the need arose. I have been thinking about that very thing, and it is actually a difficult question to answer, especially for a person who loves books the way I do.
Do I become one of the deep intellectual classics that have led Mankind over the centuries? Since Mankind hasn't really paid attention to any of them, there doesn't seem much point to that. What makes me think Man as a whole would ever learn from them if he hasn't already?
So would I pick a lighter weight classic? One of the great novels of our past, the kind that are on all those lists of books we are supposed to read before we die? Tempting, but how many other people would be thinking the same thing? I would want to be unique, wouldn't you?
I've narrowed my choices down to four. I have my reasons for each one, but it is hard to decide on just one even for a mental exercise like this. I would be either Black Beauty, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Autobiography of a Pocket Handkerchief, or Fahrenheit 451.
And you? Which book would you be?
Montag works as a fireman. But not the kind we all know and love. His job is to burn books. That is all he does. Burn books and sometimes the people who (illegally) have them.
But what happens when his eyes are opened to what life has become?
That is the rest of the story.
I've read the original novel and I've seen the movie, so I could hardly pass up this version. And it is an excellent one, in my opinion. The artwork fits the narration perfectly, creating the exact mood you should be in when reading this book. I was impressed.
Ray Bradbury wrote an introduction for this 2009 edition, and at the end he asks any reader of this book to think about which book they would 'become' if the need arose. I have been thinking about that very thing, and it is actually a difficult question to answer, especially for a person who loves books the way I do.
Do I become one of the deep intellectual classics that have led Mankind over the centuries? Since Mankind hasn't really paid attention to any of them, there doesn't seem much point to that. What makes me think Man as a whole would ever learn from them if he hasn't already?
So would I pick a lighter weight classic? One of the great novels of our past, the kind that are on all those lists of books we are supposed to read before we die? Tempting, but how many other people would be thinking the same thing? I would want to be unique, wouldn't you?
I've narrowed my choices down to four. I have my reasons for each one, but it is hard to decide on just one even for a mental exercise like this. I would be either Black Beauty, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Autobiography of a Pocket Handkerchief, or Fahrenheit 451.
And you? Which book would you be?
February 16, 2019
"This book has pores. It has features . . . detail, fresh detail. The good writers touch life often. You see why books are hated and feared? They show the pores in the face of life." -- Faber
Here's a blasphemous statement -- I enjoyed this graphic novel version more than the text edition.
Before you suggest Ray Bradbury is turning over in his grave at this idea, consider that ten years ago he partnered with artist Tim Hamilton (who has worked for Marvel, DC and other big names) to produce this edition of his 50's-era sci-fi classic. Hamilton's noir-like illustrations - mostly muted colors, except for the red-hot fires, and A LOT of darkness - complement Bradbury's prose and ideas. The story is probably as timely as ever, but is well-known by now so I won't rehash it in a review.
I remember in childhood there used to be a book series called 'Illustrated Classics,' which adapted, in a straight-forward and usually boring manner, novels from the 18th and 19th centuries. The striking style of Fahrenheit 451, as presented here, is the really way those should have been done.
Here's a blasphemous statement -- I enjoyed this graphic novel version more than the text edition.
Before you suggest Ray Bradbury is turning over in his grave at this idea, consider that ten years ago he partnered with artist Tim Hamilton (who has worked for Marvel, DC and other big names) to produce this edition of his 50's-era sci-fi classic. Hamilton's noir-like illustrations - mostly muted colors, except for the red-hot fires, and A LOT of darkness - complement Bradbury's prose and ideas. The story is probably as timely as ever, but is well-known by now so I won't rehash it in a review.
I remember in childhood there used to be a book series called 'Illustrated Classics,' which adapted, in a straight-forward and usually boring manner, novels from the 18th and 19th centuries. The striking style of Fahrenheit 451, as presented here, is the really way those should have been done.
March 18, 2018
readathon 17: 24/26 βιβλίο κόμικς
νομίζω θα διαβάσω και το κανονικό βιβλίο γιατί αυτό ήταν μικρό
επίσης στην έκδοση αυτή του Μεταίχμιο το μελάνι μάλλον μυρίζει αρκετά έντονα σε σημείο οριακής ανοχής.
νομίζω θα διαβάσω και το κανονικό βιβλίο γιατί αυτό ήταν μικρό
επίσης στην έκδοση αυτή του Μεταίχμιο το μελάνι μάλλον μυρίζει αρκετά έντονα σε σημείο οριακής ανοχής.
July 17, 2025
“Το σκυλί κοιμόταν χωρίς να κοιμάται.. Ζούσε χωρίς να ζει..μέσα στο μισοφωτισμένο κλουβί του που έβγαζε ένα χαμηλόσυχνο βόμβο και πάλλονταν ανεπαίσθητα.” σελ.27.
Συναισθητικός δεν υπήρξα ποτέ άλλοτε αλλά θα ορκιζόμουν ότι μύριζα κηροζίνη τριγύρω, όσο το διάβαζα. Ακουγα και το τρίξιμο, από τη συνεχή πίεση μεταξύ δύο αντίρροπων δυνάμεων: του φυτού που φέρει κρυμμένο εντός του το άνθος, και του τσιμέντου πάνω του που αντιστέκεται στη θραύση.
Στις σελίδες 95 -101 εξελίσσεται ο φοβερός διάλογος μεταξύ του απολωλότος πρόβατου «Δεν μπορώ να μιλήσω στους τοίχους γιατί μου φωνάζουν» - και του ποιμένα «Όταν ρωτάς πολλά γιατί, καταλήγεις δυστυχισμένος». Μαντέψτε τίνος είναι το τελευταίο επιχείρημα..
«Η λιγοστή γνώση είναι επικίνδυνο πράγμα. Πιες λαίμαργα και πολύ, αλλιώς δεν θα γευτείς την πηγή της Πιερίας» (Samuel Johnson, σελ. 97).
Δεν τα σπάει απλώς, τα κάνει θρύψαλα αυτό το σκληρό σαν διαμάντι Graphic Novel. Το απόσπασμα όπου ένας άνθρωπος γίνεται τρομερά σημαντικός, επειδή η μνήμη του είναι το τελευταίο καταφύγιο για ένα κατεστραμμένο, στην υλική του μορφή, αριστούργημα, με έστειλε στη στρατόσφαιρα..
«Απ’ όλα τα εργαλεία του ανθρώπου, το πιο εκπληκτικό είναι, χωρίς αμφιβολία, το βιβλίο. Τα άλλα είναι προεκτάσεις του σώματός του… Το βιβλίο είναι προέκταση της μνήμης και της φαντασίας του». Χ. Λ. Μπόρχες
Για φινάλε, ιδού το ποίημα που έκανε τον πυροσβέστη Μόνταγκ να σπάσει το τσιμέντο πάνω του.. Είναι του Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) και ο τίτλος του «Η παραλία του Ντόβερ»:
https://neoplanodion.gr/2019/05/17/
Συναισθητικός δεν υπήρξα ποτέ άλλοτε αλλά θα ορκιζόμουν ότι μύριζα κηροζίνη τριγύρω, όσο το διάβαζα. Ακουγα και το τρίξιμο, από τη συνεχή πίεση μεταξύ δύο αντίρροπων δυνάμεων: του φυτού που φέρει κρυμμένο εντός του το άνθος, και του τσιμέντου πάνω του που αντιστέκεται στη θραύση.
Στις σελίδες 95 -101 εξελίσσεται ο φοβερός διάλογος μεταξύ του απολωλότος πρόβατου «Δεν μπορώ να μιλήσω στους τοίχους γιατί μου φωνάζουν» - και του ποιμένα «Όταν ρωτάς πολλά γιατί, καταλήγεις δυστυχισμένος». Μαντέψτε τίνος είναι το τελευταίο επιχείρημα..
«Η λιγοστή γνώση είναι επικίνδυνο πράγμα. Πιες λαίμαργα και πολύ, αλλιώς δεν θα γευτείς την πηγή της Πιερίας» (Samuel Johnson, σελ. 97).
Δεν τα σπάει απλώς, τα κάνει θρύψαλα αυτό το σκληρό σαν διαμάντι Graphic Novel. Το απόσπασμα όπου ένας άνθρωπος γίνεται τρομερά σημαντικός, επειδή η μνήμη του είναι το τελευταίο καταφύγιο για ένα κατεστραμμένο, στην υλική του μορφή, αριστούργημα, με έστειλε στη στρατόσφαιρα..
«Απ’ όλα τα εργαλεία του ανθρώπου, το πιο εκπληκτικό είναι, χωρίς αμφιβολία, το βιβλίο. Τα άλλα είναι προεκτάσεις του σώματός του… Το βιβλίο είναι προέκταση της μνήμης και της φαντασίας του». Χ. Λ. Μπόρχες
Για φινάλε, ιδού το ποίημα που έκανε τον πυροσβέστη Μόνταγκ να σπάσει το τσιμέντο πάνω του.. Είναι του Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) και ο τίτλος του «Η παραλία του Ντόβερ»:
https://neoplanodion.gr/2019/05/17/
February 6, 2017
Otra vez me fui de caza a la biblioteca de mi universidad antes de que terminara el año escolar. Por ahí brujeando me topé con este libro y obviamente me lo traje a casa. Lo que más llama la atención es esa super-hermosa-increíblemente-chachi edición. Tapa dura con sobrecubierta y un titulo grande en rojo que me llamaba mucho la atención. Este libro está ilustrado por Tim Hamilton y el prólogo está escrito por el genial Bradbury (cuando aún vivía)
Reseña completa: http://rapsodia-literaria.blogspot.co...
Reseña completa: http://rapsodia-literaria.blogspot.co...
August 3, 2019
Aún no leí el clásico original de Bradbury pero tras este acercamiento con esta maravillosa novela gráfica este encuentro no tardará en concretarse. Si bien el propio Ray confirmó que es una adaptación muy fiel ya que estuvo involucrado en ella quedé con ganas de tener la novela algún día en manos, porque probablemente lea el ebook o un audio libro para aligerar las lecturas que tendré en este mes.
Es una novela que todos deberíamos tener en casa, sea en la edición que sea.
¿Por qué?
Porque Ray nos invita a pensar en los beneficios que tenemos hoy en día ya que en su novela se enfocará en demostrarnos la censura, como se busca limitar a la mente ya que es considerada peligrosa, a esto se le suma la creatividad y la capacidad de pensamiento propio. Ya que el nuevo gobierno solo quiere generar la felicidad y los pensamientos que sean convenientes para ellos.
Y las ilustraciones me dejaron anonadada porque son simplemente perfectas, ver todos esos libros quemándose, los colores del fuego... maravilloso el trabajo de Tim a la hora de adaptar este clásico de la literatura.
Si bien ya había tenido otro encuentro con Ray este me dejó sin palabras, sigo sin lograr describir bien como me siento al respecto ya que me lleva a pensar en mi cuando era pequeña, la falta de libros a causa de la crisis que no permitía a mis padres regalarme alguno, las bibliotecas con poco material entretenido o moderno para un niño, niña, adolescente. Y también como en 2012 se quemaron todos mis libros que estaban en el galpón de mi casa que ardió hasta derrumbarse en sus propios cimientos, sin dudas ver como perdía mis libros fue tremendamente doloroso, aunque por un lado estaba contenta de que no se había perdido el fruto del trabajo de mi hermano para obtener sus herramientas.
Tras aquel nefasto diciembre del 2012 recuerdo que tuve que volver a recrear mi biblioteca, admito que ahora está más grande y bella que hasta ese entonces. Por ende, cuando leía como las personas en Fahrenheit se querían suicidar junto con sus libros o estaban tristes y vacías me sentí plenamente identificada, no es fácil ver reducido a cenizas algo a lo cual se le tiene muchísimo aprecio.
Es una novela que todos deberíamos tener en casa, sea en la edición que sea.
¿Por qué?
Porque Ray nos invita a pensar en los beneficios que tenemos hoy en día ya que en su novela se enfocará en demostrarnos la censura, como se busca limitar a la mente ya que es considerada peligrosa, a esto se le suma la creatividad y la capacidad de pensamiento propio. Ya que el nuevo gobierno solo quiere generar la felicidad y los pensamientos que sean convenientes para ellos.
Y las ilustraciones me dejaron anonadada porque son simplemente perfectas, ver todos esos libros quemándose, los colores del fuego... maravilloso el trabajo de Tim a la hora de adaptar este clásico de la literatura.
Si bien ya había tenido otro encuentro con Ray este me dejó sin palabras, sigo sin lograr describir bien como me siento al respecto ya que me lleva a pensar en mi cuando era pequeña, la falta de libros a causa de la crisis que no permitía a mis padres regalarme alguno, las bibliotecas con poco material entretenido o moderno para un niño, niña, adolescente. Y también como en 2012 se quemaron todos mis libros que estaban en el galpón de mi casa que ardió hasta derrumbarse en sus propios cimientos, sin dudas ver como perdía mis libros fue tremendamente doloroso, aunque por un lado estaba contenta de que no se había perdido el fruto del trabajo de mi hermano para obtener sus herramientas.
Tras aquel nefasto diciembre del 2012 recuerdo que tuve que volver a recrear mi biblioteca, admito que ahora está más grande y bella que hasta ese entonces. Por ende, cuando leía como las personas en Fahrenheit se querían suicidar junto con sus libros o estaban tristes y vacías me sentí plenamente identificada, no es fácil ver reducido a cenizas algo a lo cual se le tiene muchísimo aprecio.
September 27, 2021
I have read Fahrenheit 451 a number of times over the years but this was the first time I saw it as a graphic novel but not only that but an authorised version with introduction by the man himself Ray Bradbury - so yes I had to read this to see what changes and tweaks had been made along with any slight revisions that Mr Bradbury had wanted to add along the way.
I have to say that it was a great read (and no I will not give away if there are any differences as I think in this case that is the same as spoilers since the story itself is so well know).
I am always careful around graphic novels as there is not just the story telling to get on with but the artistic styles used as well (I can still remember having to be "kind" to friends who had lent me books to read where I just could not cope with how the artists worked) but here I think there is just the right kind of familiarity but also scary alternative world feel to it too. Alternative but not so far distant.
The only problem is that I discover that this was one of three -the other two being the Martian Chronicles and Something Wicked this ways comes - guess I am going shopping
I have to say that it was a great read (and no I will not give away if there are any differences as I think in this case that is the same as spoilers since the story itself is so well know).
I am always careful around graphic novels as there is not just the story telling to get on with but the artistic styles used as well (I can still remember having to be "kind" to friends who had lent me books to read where I just could not cope with how the artists worked) but here I think there is just the right kind of familiarity but also scary alternative world feel to it too. Alternative but not so far distant.
The only problem is that I discover that this was one of three -the other two being the Martian Chronicles and Something Wicked this ways comes - guess I am going shopping
April 7, 2019
Fahrenheit 451 is one of those novels that doesn't require any introduction. This dystopian novel totally deserved a spot in the graphic novel format, for its disturbing content.
Tim Hamilton, the comic adaptor, successfully conveys the dark images of the book into an illustrated edition.
Just like the 1966 film by Truffaut, this is another version of this powerful masterpiece.
Haunting, disturbing, and thought-provoking, Fahrenheit 451 is a compelling work that makes any reader to reflect. The comic adaptation presents a gorgeous artwork and captures the most important concepts of Bradbury's work.
The design is quite edgy and mysterious, which helps the reader to envision a disconcerting dystopian society. Consequently, this graphic novel enhances the mental images from the original book by Bradbury.
Hamilton's comic adaptation should be read as a conjunction to the original read.
rating: 4.5/5 stars
Tim Hamilton, the comic adaptor, successfully conveys the dark images of the book into an illustrated edition.
Just like the 1966 film by Truffaut, this is another version of this powerful masterpiece.
Haunting, disturbing, and thought-provoking, Fahrenheit 451 is a compelling work that makes any reader to reflect. The comic adaptation presents a gorgeous artwork and captures the most important concepts of Bradbury's work.
The design is quite edgy and mysterious, which helps the reader to envision a disconcerting dystopian society. Consequently, this graphic novel enhances the mental images from the original book by Bradbury.
Hamilton's comic adaptation should be read as a conjunction to the original read.
rating: 4.5/5 stars
October 8, 2019
This graphic adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 is best read in addition to the original novel. It could never replace the flowery language and beautiful imagery presented in its original form. However, the artistic renderings of each frame do a lovely job of presenting the dark material, shadowy intentions of the characters, and the brilliance of the flames. After reading the original, this graphic version adds new layers, highlighting the significance of specific moments. This is a glimpse into the world that could clarify the story for some struggling readers.
Of course, it's hard to read without considering Beatty's apt and rambling critique of our own society: "Then in the twentieth century, speed up your camera. Books cut shorter. Condensations. Digests. Tabloids... Classics cut to fit fifteen-minute radio shows, then again to fill a two-minute book column, winding up at last as a ten- or twelve-line dictionary resume." Like Beatty, "I exaggerate, of course", when claiming that this is doing the same thing to the original Fahrenheit 451. Although this is an authorized reimagining of the original text that has an intro by Bradbury, I would still warn against using this as a substitute for the original. Instead, it is an incredible supplement.
Of course, it's hard to read without considering Beatty's apt and rambling critique of our own society: "Then in the twentieth century, speed up your camera. Books cut shorter. Condensations. Digests. Tabloids... Classics cut to fit fifteen-minute radio shows, then again to fill a two-minute book column, winding up at last as a ten- or twelve-line dictionary resume." Like Beatty, "I exaggerate, of course", when claiming that this is doing the same thing to the original Fahrenheit 451. Although this is an authorized reimagining of the original text that has an intro by Bradbury, I would still warn against using this as a substitute for the original. Instead, it is an incredible supplement.
July 20, 2020
RECOMENDADA 100%
Volver a Bradbury siempre será un placer. No hay forma de hablar de Fahrenheit 451 y no sentir un poco de miedo y nostalgia al ver a Montag con sus dudas y temores frente a la literatura y el rol que cumple como bombero.
La historia: es de 10. Es aterradora, poética y con un final esperanzador. La labor de los libros es la de ordenar las maravillas de la vida. No son mágicos por existir sino mágicos por la forma que tiene a acercarnos a diferentes realidades sin movernos de nuestro lugar.
Lo personajes: Con 5 personajes, esta obra tiene los elementos necesarios para identificarse con las dudas de Montag o de reconocer a Betty como un jefe o superior molesto.
El formato: el cómic es de las mayores muestras artísticas. Tienen la tarea de representar por, medio de ilustraciones, las palabras de otra persona. Me parece un gran acierto la forma en que Tim Hamilton retrata la sensación que da la historia: Oscuridad, soledad y existencialismo de cuestionarse nuestro papel en el mundo.
Mi calificación: 4/5, ya que la historia es conocida desde antes, es grato ver cómo esta adaptación toma nuevos elementos y los enlaza con las ideas originales de Bradbury. No alcanza el 5 porque extrañé las narraciones de Bradbury que son más propias de la literatura que del cómic.
Volver a Bradbury siempre será un placer. No hay forma de hablar de Fahrenheit 451 y no sentir un poco de miedo y nostalgia al ver a Montag con sus dudas y temores frente a la literatura y el rol que cumple como bombero.
La historia: es de 10. Es aterradora, poética y con un final esperanzador. La labor de los libros es la de ordenar las maravillas de la vida. No son mágicos por existir sino mágicos por la forma que tiene a acercarnos a diferentes realidades sin movernos de nuestro lugar.
Lo personajes: Con 5 personajes, esta obra tiene los elementos necesarios para identificarse con las dudas de Montag o de reconocer a Betty como un jefe o superior molesto.
El formato: el cómic es de las mayores muestras artísticas. Tienen la tarea de representar por, medio de ilustraciones, las palabras de otra persona. Me parece un gran acierto la forma en que Tim Hamilton retrata la sensación que da la historia: Oscuridad, soledad y existencialismo de cuestionarse nuestro papel en el mundo.
Mi calificación: 4/5, ya que la historia es conocida desde antes, es grato ver cómo esta adaptación toma nuevos elementos y los enlaza con las ideas originales de Bradbury. No alcanza el 5 porque extrañé las narraciones de Bradbury que son más propias de la literatura que del cómic.
April 29, 2014
The artwork was good, but everything else wasn't — the premise, the story, and the characters were all rubbish. I didn't buy the whole book burning, firemen, and media brainwashing that was going on. Very little made sense especially the majority of the population being cool with not thinking for themselves, not wanting to read books, not questioning the war. It was all so far fetched and unrealistic.
February 9, 2020
This book was a little confusing. It was a good plot idea, but I thought some of the dialogue seemed like filler. It ended on a cliffhanger, but if there is a book two, I'm not going to buy it.
April 19, 2012
What a disgrace to Ray Bradbury. This book is the exact opposite of what it should be. Fahrenheit 451 is about books that burn and terrible censorship. Is this not ironic that it is a shortened, empty version of this complex novel? This graphic novel is easy to read, which is what Bradbury advises against (cultures that take the easy way out of reading will be destroyed). It requires almost no thought to sit down and read this for thirty minutes, and the reader will most likely not retrieve any central aspects or themes of the text. It is almost as if our culture is becoming that of Montag's; publishers and schools are beginning to study these types of novels because it is easy and requires almost no thinking. It is especially terrible that a book of this magnitude was turned into a monstrosity that completely turns around the author's message.
September 5, 2015
I read the book when I was in 7th grade, a very looong time ago.
How scary to live in a world where books are banned and burned and anyone caught with a book is arrested or burned right along with their books and home. This people are so empty that their entertainment is dictated by some invisible government. They gather at friends' homes to watch the televised walls. Their memories of loved ones are also played on the wall as a picture in a frame would be in our home. I found this to be the scariest of all, that your memories could be dictated in such a way.
The story played well to this format, but the graphics were not so great. A lot of faces were undefined and the images hard to read at times.
How scary to live in a world where books are banned and burned and anyone caught with a book is arrested or burned right along with their books and home. This people are so empty that their entertainment is dictated by some invisible government. They gather at friends' homes to watch the televised walls. Their memories of loved ones are also played on the wall as a picture in a frame would be in our home. I found this to be the scariest of all, that your memories could be dictated in such a way.
The story played well to this format, but the graphics were not so great. A lot of faces were undefined and the images hard to read at times.
November 4, 2009
I have a vague idea of how I came to read this. My dad and I were discussing science fiction and science fantasy, and at some point, it was agreed I would sample something from the sci-fi genre to see how it was written. Something to do with my roots being in the fantasy genre.
For all I know, I may have read some sci-fi books before and forgotten it, or was unaware the genre was sci-fi, but ah well, Fahrenheit 451 was always said to be a must-read, and it just so happened my dad had the graphic novel on his computer.
----
1st quarter of the GN, my thoughts were:
Wow. Really pretty. The art work is fantastic. How clever Ray Bradbury is! A new play on the word "fireman".
(Then) A girl is introduced, Clarisse. She's pretty. What's she for? I wonder if at some point in the novel the main character, the fireman, Guy Montag and her get together.
(And soon after) Oh no, what have I gotten into...the whole novel is a dialog between the two isn't it? Just constant gibber jabber, and in the process he discovers himself. Ooh, look, it's Mildred, Guy's wife. Empty pill bottle on the floor. Has she conveniently committed suicide, so he can hang out with Clarisse more? Oh. Apparently not. A couple of technicians save the day, and guess what? Mrs. Montag is probably going to do it again.
(Later) Fortunately, this is a graphic novel, and a few pictures of Guy and Clarisse talking can be crafted to span over a few days.
2nd quarter:
Captain Beatty, Guy's boss, is looks creepy--Jack Nicholson could play him no problem. Oh no. Clarisse is dead. Unfortunately, I didn't really form an attachment to her so I didn't mind much, but apparently, Guy Montag does.
As Captain Beatty slowly revealed why they go to such great lengths to destroy books and why they've made the possession of books a criminal offense, I was reminded of the present state of the world now, and what he said in 1951 is still true today: what we read does truly affect the way we think. It is how we excel and it is what makes us different from everyone around us. Our thoughts are all different, our opinions, even the way we think is different, and it's mostly because of the books we read.
In Ray Bradbury's dystopia, "Happiness" is a tool the government uses to suppress the voices of the people. "Happiness" is what ensures they stay in power. "The family", some sort of holographic program, is what has replaced real human relationships. It distracts people from the world around them, removes the necessity of companionship, removes worry, and detaches them from everything else. The "Happiness" that "the family" offers is false, but everyone is too numbed to notice. The government remains in power, unopposed, because the people are ignorant, living in shells.
3rd quarter:
A year has passed in the novel, but I didn't notice. Anyway, in that time, Guy Montag has hidden dozens of books on the sly. He remembers a man he met one time, an old dude. Apparently, Guy Montag found this old dude, what's his name, ah yes, Faber, having books in his possession. So he forms a sort of alliance with this Faber dude, who had for some reason, come to possess an small ear-piece which he uses to remain in contact with Montag. Faber...is not one of the best characters I've seen. He's spineless, he's hesitant to help, he doesn't really do anything, he just sits around and waits for it all to be over. And he's annoying. But I guess, Faber represents the silent minority. Those who sit by and watch while the world burns.
Some form of literary debate goes on between Captain Beatty and Captain Beatty. Apparently, he's using a debate he had in a "dream" as an allegory to try to turn Montag, to confuse and befuddle him. I was...not impressed by the debate itself, but I was impressed however, by the knowledge of books that Captain Beatty possessed. For someone who outlawed the act of reading books, he sure spouted a lot of quotes.
They receive an emergency dispatch call and the firemen, Montag included, hasten to the the location (before the bad people can hide the books), only to find that it's Montag's house they stop at. Mildred. Evil witch woman. But then it's revealed that Captain Beatty knew about it his secret stash all along, and orders Montag to burn his own house down with a flamethrower. And Montag does it, too! THEN, his ear piece falls out accidentally, and oh bugger, Captain B picks it up, and he threatens to trace it back to old Faber. Note to self: Don't threaten people armed with flame throwers.
Of course, to protect his friend, Montag kills Captain Beatty, and destroys a mechanical dog and flees as a fugitive. He also discovers that not all the books were destroyed after all. Yay, for him.
4th quarter:
Faber's house. They discuss planting books in the houses of other firemen, which I got really excited about, but nothing happened. Instead, the TV comes on to say that some new mechanical dogs are gonna be shipped in to track Montag by his scent. So now, Faber is on the lam, too.
So, Montag gets away, yada yada, and meets a bunch of vagabonds. And it becomes clear once again what a twisted world it is to have professors and scholars living on the streets instead of the real bad guys, whom apparently, no longer exist because they're at home "being happy". These professors have made it their lives' mission to memorize entire books, human-libraries if you will. They then burn the books to avoid being arrested. Meanwhile, some innocent dude is killed and the public is told that the dude is Montag, because the government just can't admit they were beaten.
Jet bombers fly over the place and destroy the whole city with nuclear bombs. It's implied that this happens everywhere as well, and it is assumed Mildred is dead. The end.
Now, I was pretty happy with the first 3 quarters of the graphic novel, I really was! It was a fabulous "what if" concept, Ray Bradbury is brilliant and Tim Hamilton is an amazing illustrator. However, I felt the ending was a bit of a cop-out. Too short, too sudden, too hurried. I was left with the thought, 'That's it?? The end? No more?'
It's a bit like that birthday where your relative gives you a huge wrapped present, and you're all hyped up about it because it's just gi-normous and you can hardly wait to open it. You're thinking about it all through the party, and when it's time to open the presents, you rush to that one first. You're clawing at the wrapping paper and someone records you squealing at the sight of the cover of the box because it's that Wii you always wanted! Then you open the box, and you discover that it isn't a Wii, it's a plain white T and a fabric dye set that aforementioned relative tells you "Now you can paint whatever you want on it! See! Isn't it cool?"
Anyhew, 3 stars for great concept!
For all I know, I may have read some sci-fi books before and forgotten it, or was unaware the genre was sci-fi, but ah well, Fahrenheit 451 was always said to be a must-read, and it just so happened my dad had the graphic novel on his computer.
----
1st quarter of the GN, my thoughts were:
Wow. Really pretty. The art work is fantastic. How clever Ray Bradbury is! A new play on the word "fireman".
(Then) A girl is introduced, Clarisse. She's pretty. What's she for? I wonder if at some point in the novel the main character, the fireman, Guy Montag and her get together.
(And soon after) Oh no, what have I gotten into...the whole novel is a dialog between the two isn't it? Just constant gibber jabber, and in the process he discovers himself. Ooh, look, it's Mildred, Guy's wife. Empty pill bottle on the floor. Has she conveniently committed suicide, so he can hang out with Clarisse more? Oh. Apparently not. A couple of technicians save the day, and guess what? Mrs. Montag is probably going to do it again.
(Later) Fortunately, this is a graphic novel, and a few pictures of Guy and Clarisse talking can be crafted to span over a few days.
2nd quarter:
Captain Beatty, Guy's boss, is looks creepy--Jack Nicholson could play him no problem. Oh no. Clarisse is dead. Unfortunately, I didn't really form an attachment to her so I didn't mind much, but apparently, Guy Montag does.
As Captain Beatty slowly revealed why they go to such great lengths to destroy books and why they've made the possession of books a criminal offense, I was reminded of the present state of the world now, and what he said in 1951 is still true today: what we read does truly affect the way we think. It is how we excel and it is what makes us different from everyone around us. Our thoughts are all different, our opinions, even the way we think is different, and it's mostly because of the books we read.
In Ray Bradbury's dystopia, "Happiness" is a tool the government uses to suppress the voices of the people. "Happiness" is what ensures they stay in power. "The family", some sort of holographic program, is what has replaced real human relationships. It distracts people from the world around them, removes the necessity of companionship, removes worry, and detaches them from everything else. The "Happiness" that "the family" offers is false, but everyone is too numbed to notice. The government remains in power, unopposed, because the people are ignorant, living in shells.
3rd quarter:
A year has passed in the novel, but I didn't notice. Anyway, in that time, Guy Montag has hidden dozens of books on the sly. He remembers a man he met one time, an old dude. Apparently, Guy Montag found this old dude, what's his name, ah yes, Faber, having books in his possession. So he forms a sort of alliance with this Faber dude, who had for some reason, come to possess an small ear-piece which he uses to remain in contact with Montag. Faber...is not one of the best characters I've seen. He's spineless, he's hesitant to help, he doesn't really do anything, he just sits around and waits for it all to be over. And he's annoying. But I guess, Faber represents the silent minority. Those who sit by and watch while the world burns.
Some form of literary debate goes on between Captain Beatty and Captain Beatty. Apparently, he's using a debate he had in a "dream" as an allegory to try to turn Montag, to confuse and befuddle him. I was...not impressed by the debate itself, but I was impressed however, by the knowledge of books that Captain Beatty possessed. For someone who outlawed the act of reading books, he sure spouted a lot of quotes.
They receive an emergency dispatch call and the firemen, Montag included, hasten to the the location (before the bad people can hide the books), only to find that it's Montag's house they stop at. Mildred. Evil witch woman. But then it's revealed that Captain Beatty knew about it his secret stash all along, and orders Montag to burn his own house down with a flamethrower. And Montag does it, too! THEN, his ear piece falls out accidentally, and oh bugger, Captain B picks it up, and he threatens to trace it back to old Faber. Note to self: Don't threaten people armed with flame throwers.
Of course, to protect his friend, Montag kills Captain Beatty, and destroys a mechanical dog and flees as a fugitive. He also discovers that not all the books were destroyed after all. Yay, for him.
4th quarter:
Faber's house. They discuss planting books in the houses of other firemen, which I got really excited about, but nothing happened. Instead, the TV comes on to say that some new mechanical dogs are gonna be shipped in to track Montag by his scent. So now, Faber is on the lam, too.
So, Montag gets away, yada yada, and meets a bunch of vagabonds. And it becomes clear once again what a twisted world it is to have professors and scholars living on the streets instead of the real bad guys, whom apparently, no longer exist because they're at home "being happy". These professors have made it their lives' mission to memorize entire books, human-libraries if you will. They then burn the books to avoid being arrested. Meanwhile, some innocent dude is killed and the public is told that the dude is Montag, because the government just can't admit they were beaten.
Jet bombers fly over the place and destroy the whole city with nuclear bombs. It's implied that this happens everywhere as well, and it is assumed Mildred is dead. The end.
Now, I was pretty happy with the first 3 quarters of the graphic novel, I really was! It was a fabulous "what if" concept, Ray Bradbury is brilliant and Tim Hamilton is an amazing illustrator. However, I felt the ending was a bit of a cop-out. Too short, too sudden, too hurried. I was left with the thought, 'That's it?? The end? No more?'
It's a bit like that birthday where your relative gives you a huge wrapped present, and you're all hyped up about it because it's just gi-normous and you can hardly wait to open it. You're thinking about it all through the party, and when it's time to open the presents, you rush to that one first. You're clawing at the wrapping paper and someone records you squealing at the sight of the cover of the box because it's that Wii you always wanted! Then you open the box, and you discover that it isn't a Wii, it's a plain white T and a fabric dye set that aforementioned relative tells you "Now you can paint whatever you want on it! See! Isn't it cool?"
Anyhew, 3 stars for great concept!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2024
"ΜΗ ΣΚΕΦΤΕΣΑΙ. ΕΙΝΑΙ ΕΠΙΚΙΝΔΥΝΟ. ΜΗΝ ΕΜΠΙΣΤΕΥΕΣΑΙ ΚΑΝΕΝΑΝ ΑΛΛΟ ΕΚΤΟΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΚΡΑΤΟΣ. ΠΡΟΔΩΣΕ ΤΟΥΣ ΓΕΙΤΟΝΕΣ ΣΟΥ. ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΚΥΡΙΟΤΕΡΟ: ΚΑΨΕ ΤΑ ΒΙΒΛΙΑ."
Εβδομήντα χρόνια πριν, ο Ray Bradbury συνέλαβε αυτήν την αριστουργηματική ιδέα την οποία οι σύγχρονοί του ονόμασαν δυστοπία. Δεν ξέρω κατά πόσο μπορούμε σήμερα να το αποκαλούμε έτσι αφού από "δυστοπία" έχει γίνει πια σύγχρονος τρόπος ζωής. Ο ανθρώπινος δείκτης ευφυίας συνεχώς μειώνεται, η κριτική σκέψη δεν καλλιεργείται, η τρομολαγνεία και η παροχή κινήτρων για να "καρφώσουμε" τον γείτονά μας συνεχώς αυξάνονται και τα βιβλία (πολλά από αυτά) προωθούν στοχευμένα και κατευθυνόμενα το "πνεύμα της εποχής" αυτής. Τί άλλαξε; Δεν καίγονται πια τα βιβλία και οι ιδεολογίες στην πυρά αλλά δημιουργούνται στρατιές παθητικών,αποχαυνωμένων ανθρώπων που αναπαράγουν όσα με επιτυχία -και με καθημερινή πλύση εγκεφάλου- τους έχουν επιβληθεί. Από αυτήν την άποψη , ναι είναι δυστοπία. Μια δυστοπία πιο επίκαιρη από ποτέ που έρχεται να επιβεβαιώσει το μεγαλείο αυτού του συγγραφέα.
Για το βιβλίο έχω ξαναμιλήσει, η ιστορία του ίσως είναι γνωστή σε πολλούς (ίσως όχι σε όσους θα έπρεπε!) και το προτείνω συνεχώς ως μέσο αφύπνισης και καλλιέργειας της κριτικής σκέψης η οποία τείνει να εκλείψει. Η συγκεκριμένη έκδοση αφορά στη συνεργασία του Ray Bradbury με τον καλλιτέχνη Tim Hamilton οι οποίοι απέδωσαν το μοναδικό αυτό έργο σε μορφή graphic novel ζωντανεύοντας με εικόνες τη σκοτεινή και κλειστοφοβική ατμόσφαιρα του Φαρενάιτ 451. Προσωπικά απόλαυσα την πολυαισθητηριακή αυτή εμπειρία, έχοντας πρώτα διαβάσει το μυθιστόρημα , και αυτήν τη σειρά ανάγνωσης προτείνω και σε εσάς.
Εβδομήντα χρόνια πριν, ο Ray Bradbury συνέλαβε αυτήν την αριστουργηματική ιδέα την οποία οι σύγχρονοί του ονόμασαν δυστοπία. Δεν ξέρω κατά πόσο μπορούμε σήμερα να το αποκαλούμε έτσι αφού από "δυστοπία" έχει γίνει πια σύγχρονος τρόπος ζωής. Ο ανθρώπινος δείκτης ευφυίας συνεχώς μειώνεται, η κριτική σκέψη δεν καλλιεργείται, η τρομολαγνεία και η παροχή κινήτρων για να "καρφώσουμε" τον γείτονά μας συνεχώς αυξάνονται και τα βιβλία (πολλά από αυτά) προωθούν στοχευμένα και κατευθυνόμενα το "πνεύμα της εποχής" αυτής. Τί άλλαξε; Δεν καίγονται πια τα βιβλία και οι ιδεολογίες στην πυρά αλλά δημιουργούνται στρατιές παθητικών,αποχαυνωμένων ανθρώπων που αναπαράγουν όσα με επιτυχία -και με καθημερινή πλύση εγκεφάλου- τους έχουν επιβληθεί. Από αυτήν την άποψη , ναι είναι δυστοπία. Μια δυστοπία πιο επίκαιρη από ποτέ που έρχεται να επιβεβαιώσει το μεγαλείο αυτού του συγγραφέα.
Για το βιβλίο έχω ξαναμιλήσει, η ιστορία του ίσως είναι γνωστή σε πολλούς (ίσως όχι σε όσους θα έπρεπε!) και το προτείνω συνεχώς ως μέσο αφύπνισης και καλλιέργειας της κριτικής σκέψης η οποία τείνει να εκλείψει. Η συγκεκριμένη έκδοση αφορά στη συνεργασία του Ray Bradbury με τον καλλιτέχνη Tim Hamilton οι οποίοι απέδωσαν το μοναδικό αυτό έργο σε μορφή graphic novel ζωντανεύοντας με εικόνες τη σκοτεινή και κλειστοφοβική ατμόσφαιρα του Φαρενάιτ 451. Προσωπικά απόλαυσα την πολυαισθητηριακή αυτή εμπειρία, έχοντας πρώτα διαβάσει το μυθιστόρημα , και αυτήν τη σειρά ανάγνωσης προτείνω και σε εσάς.
November 2, 2011
This is a serviceable version of the classic science-fiction Bradbury novel but should not serve as a replacement for the original, full-length novel. The characterizations sometimes seemed spot on, other times seemed to miss their mark: for example, Clarisse doesn't have the depth and intelligence she should have and comes off as a bit of a sex-pot, which struck me as inaccurate. Beatty, on the other hand, seems as steady and unswerving in Hamilton's comic as he does in Bradbury's text. There are some good portraits of Millie, which lend us hints about the great fear and uncertainty that she lives with on a daily basis. Montag's intensity and desire for truth grows over the course of the novel, which I suppose is as it should be.
One of the tenets of Fahrenheit 451 is that reading (and walking and good conversation) takes time, patience, thought and introspection. So having the story sort of rushed through in a graphic form arguably works against those principles. But I imagine that if this text were used as an extension activity, such as a follow-up to a thorough study of Bradbury's book, there would be much to be gained from it and many students would enjoy it.
One of the tenets of Fahrenheit 451 is that reading (and walking and good conversation) takes time, patience, thought and introspection. So having the story sort of rushed through in a graphic form arguably works against those principles. But I imagine that if this text were used as an extension activity, such as a follow-up to a thorough study of Bradbury's book, there would be much to be gained from it and many students would enjoy it.
February 25, 2020
I had heard a lot about Fahrenheit 451 and its dark story for I wouldn't want to live in a world without books. But before I could read the book or watch the movie I got to read this Graphic Novel adaption of the novel. This has been authorized by Ray Bradbury. The artwork is dystopian like it had to be and overall I liked it why are here so many negative reviews for the book probably I would understand that after reading the book. But till then as my first introduction to Ray Bradbury's dystopian world I really liked this graphic novel. Would read the book and watch the movie soon enough.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
August 27, 2011
I tried reading the original of this novel sometime ago but I stopped. I believe I stopped at that point, not too far from the beginning, where two characters, conversing, made it like a forgotten myth that firemen used to put out fires, not like what they are now: police-like professionals who burn books.
I managed to finish this one, however, mainly because in its graphic novel adaptation there are not too many words to read. Still, however, it does not mean I had already been completely charmed by the story. Its premise is that there will come a time when all books--even the well-loved classics--will be considered subversive materials and the cause of mankind's sufferings, and that to preserve them, people have to memorize these books. I just don't dig that kind of plot. It is too much of a fiction for a fiction for me.
I managed to finish this one, however, mainly because in its graphic novel adaptation there are not too many words to read. Still, however, it does not mean I had already been completely charmed by the story. Its premise is that there will come a time when all books--even the well-loved classics--will be considered subversive materials and the cause of mankind's sufferings, and that to preserve them, people have to memorize these books. I just don't dig that kind of plot. It is too much of a fiction for a fiction for me.
June 28, 2010
It’s always thrilling to reread a favorite book, in this case, a graphic novel based on the novel, with the author’s consent. Instead of quoting the many famous quotes from Fahrenheit 451, I’m going to quote the introduction by Ray Bradbury.
“…Anyone reading this introduction should take the time to name the one book that he or she would most want to memorize and protect from any censors or ‘firemen.’ And not only name the book but give the reasons why they would wish to memorize it and why it would be a valuable asset to be recited and remembered in the future.”
My book this morning would be Fahrenheit 451. Why, because ideas that stray from the mainstream or that the mainstream does not approve of are always under attack and at risk of censorship.
“…Anyone reading this introduction should take the time to name the one book that he or she would most want to memorize and protect from any censors or ‘firemen.’ And not only name the book but give the reasons why they would wish to memorize it and why it would be a valuable asset to be recited and remembered in the future.”
My book this morning would be Fahrenheit 451. Why, because ideas that stray from the mainstream or that the mainstream does not approve of are always under attack and at risk of censorship.
May 11, 2016
I don't read graphic novels as a rule. I am a comic book fan from way back, but I find it difficult to 'read' most graphic novels. For me it generally takes several pages to get into a rhythm, to begin to read the illustrations AND the text as one. In some cases I never do reach that point.
This graphic adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 is an astonishing exception. From the first panel I was caught up and swept into the story. I thought rhe illustrations spoke as clearly and powerfully as Ray Bradbury's text. And even though the original text is significantly pared down, it hasn't lost any of its power.
This graphic adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 is an astonishing exception. From the first panel I was caught up and swept into the story. I thought rhe illustrations spoke as clearly and powerfully as Ray Bradbury's text. And even though the original text is significantly pared down, it hasn't lost any of its power.
October 25, 2020
Muy ligero y entretenido se leé en casi nada,
odié mucho a Mildred y amé a Montag y Clarisse. Me ha hecho reflexionar bastante y buscar las semejanzas de aquella distopía con la actualidad.
odié mucho a Mildred y amé a Montag y Clarisse. Me ha hecho reflexionar bastante y buscar las semejanzas de aquella distopía con la actualidad.
July 4, 2023
Rating 4.5/5
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