Fahrenheit 451 - Rad Bradbury

Set in the average lit nerd's idea of a truly dystopian world where books are burned and forbidden for being the source of all unhappiness and suffering, Rad Bradbury weaves a haunting, prophetic tale of a not-too-distant future for the human race in light of our contemporary society that is pervaded by media, drugs and violence.

Far from condemning however, Fahrenheit 451 is both confronting and shocking as Bradbury explores the potential of technology in it's devastating impact in the world of Fahrenheit 451 where nuclear wars are common and violence so prevalent that people simply do not care anymore. Where education is deemed no longer necessary because technology is there to do it for people. Where the main ideal of life is to have fun and never be unhappy again. To not worry about what that might do to the world. Not worry about turning into indifferent monsters.

Where it is decided that whether it be books or things that make people think are destroyed and eradicated, people are changed into mindless clones of each other. Fahrenheit 451 tells the tale of one Fireman's desperate struggle against this conformity after meeting a girl who radically believed the world was not right.

I think, what I loved most about Fahrenheit 451 was not the story - because I admit, it was incredibly depressing - but that it made me think. Even though it was written over 50 years ago, the reflections and the issues it explores is still relevant today. Which kind of scares me a little since such a future is still quite possible to us. Coupled with Bradbury's powerful and poetic prose, Fahrenheit 451 is both shocking and dazzling, an important piece of literature that should be read and appreciated for years to come. Recommended to everyone, particularly those who enjoy a good sci-fi novel.

disclaimer

I can't write good book reviews to save my life. It's not just what I'm saying - it's a scientific fact.

Or decent for that matter. I was reading over my old posts, that is, every post that is not this one and I have come to the most eye-opening realisation - they are all shit.

So if you've been following this blog since '08 which I highly doubt, all posts from that year are gone. Presto. Vamoose. From now onwards, I will be treating this blog rather as a project to develop my review writing skills. Please do not expect any high degree of excellence.

Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

AN UNFORTUNATE NICKNAME - Sixteen year old Beauty has never liked her nickname. Thin, awkward and undersized, with big hands and huge feet, she has always thought of herself as the plainest girl in the family...
Here is the unusual love story of a most unlikely couple: Beauty....and the Beast.

So I recently reread this book again and I'm loving it all over again. I quite positively adored it the first time I read it. It quickly became one of my favouritest (I know it's not a word but I don't care) books of all time. Particularly as a retelling. I liked the whole concept that Beauty wasn't pretty. But yet her strong, intelligent and brave character appealed to me all the same. The ending was perfect.
I'm such a sap for happy endings.
The whole idea just worked really well coupled with Robin McKinley's poignant pose.
It's the kind of novel I could read a thousand times over and every time enjoy it just as much as the first time.

Graceling - Kristin Cashore

In the vast and magical world of Graceling political turmoil is strife across the seven kingdoms.
In this world there are people who are born with a Grace.
They are feared and exploited.
Katsa was born with the Grace of killing.
She can strike more than dozens of armed men without a weapon.
None is her equal until she meets Po, another Graced fighter.
He has eyes that glow that unsettle her. Unexpectantly she becomes his friend and they travel together on a quest to discover the truth of dark things happening under the seven kingdoms' rulers.

After finishing it, I was quite convinced that Kristin Cashore has a gift for engrossing, enlivening story telling. Graceling is one of those books that capture your attention and trap you into the story so deeply until you simply can't put the book down until you finish it. Even then, you do so relunctantly.

The passionate yet fiercely loyal love between Po and Katsa, the engaging plot, very well-developed characters and to top it off, a strong, intelligent female protagonist - all flowed together seamlessly to make an enchanting story, that will stay with me for quite a while to come - with a lot of re-reads!