Starred review from October 25, 2010
After years of working as a fireman—one who burns books and enjoys his work—Guy Montag meets a young girl who makes him question his profession and the values of the society in which he lives. Stephen Hoye's narration is perfectly matched to the subject matter: his tone is low and ominous, and his cadence shifts with the prose to ratchet up tension and suspense. He produces spot-on voices, and his versions of the gruff Captain Beatty, the playful Clarisse, and the fearful professor Faber are especially impressive. A Ballantine paperback.
July 13, 2009
A faithful adaptation of the original, Hamilton's comics version conveys the social commentary of the novel, while using the images to develop the tone. He uses grainy, static colors and images obscured by heavy black shadows and textures to portray the oppressive nature of this world where firemen start fires instead of putting them out. Malevolent forces and danger lurk in the shadows pervading the suburban home of fireman Montag and his wife, Mildred. Montag questions the happiness of his mundane life when prodded by his strange new neighbor, a young girl named Clarisse, as well as his wife's drug overdose. This leads him to throw himself into a dangerous struggle to expose the world's hypocrisy by spreading the forbidden knowledge contained in books. The art solidifies atmospheric elements such as the fire and rain; fire, tapering and curling, is rendered into a crucial additional character. Since the original expounds the importance of valuing and preserving books and knowledge, adapting it into the comics form emphasizes the growth of the medium, as well as its potency across genres and subjects.
April 12, 2024
Gr 8 Up-Although this novel was originally published in 1951, it is still relevant and thought-provoking today. Fireman Guy Montag's job is to set fire to books and the houses where people are harboring them. Then he heads home to his wife, Mildred, who spends time with her televised "family" all day. Guy doesn't question his actions or his wife's pastime until he meets Clarisse, his unconventional neighbor, who challenges him to look at life differently. He starts to question his work and the lack of depth in his relationship with Mildred. After Clarisse disappears, Guy connects with a professor who helps him see that it's not the books themselves, but the ideas that can be learned from the books that matter. When he is called to an assignment to burn down his own home, he turns on his Captain and flees before a bomb is suddenly dropped on the city. This novel is set in a world different from ours, and yet many of the themes will resonate with today's readers. This speculative fiction work is perfect for discussions on the repercussions of suppressing First Amendment rights. The comparisons that can be made between current events and those in the story will benefit classroom use.VERDICT A must-buy for all libraries that serve teens.-Jen Vincent & Heather Lassley
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