(CCLaP publishes mini-reviews of both books and movies on a regular basis, none lasting more than a few hundred words. Click here for the full list.)

Fahrenheit 451 (book; 1953)
By Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury has never sat comfortably in the world of literature, nor with me; considered a "genre writer" by some and meant as an insult, a "serious writer" by others and meant as a compliment, it seems that I am always going back and forth about his merits in my head too, especially the farther away we get from many of the books' original publication dates. That said, how can you not love Fahrenheit 451, a virtual blueprint for the Cautionary Science Fiction Tale with Modern Political Overtones? Boldly envisioning a future where the general populace is hooked on mindless television, Bradbury subverts our modern "fire department" to one now in charge of starting fires, in this case the various paperback books occasionally found in people's homes that are now illegal. It's clunky, yes, a little pat now as well; but it's a very important book from a historical standpoint, not to mention still a great little story (not to mention the inspiration for one of François Truffaut's best films).

Out of 10: 8.3