|
Ray Bradbury
Tim Hamilton
|
|
||
|
Genre
|
|||
|
Media
|
Graphic Novel
|
||
Publisher | Harper Voyager | ||
ISBN | 978-000730473 | ||
|
Reviewer
|
Gareth
|
Synopsis
The hauntingly prophetic classic novel set in a not-too-distant future where books are burned by a special task force of firemen. Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to burn books, which are forbidden, being the source of all discord and unhappiness. Even so, Montag is unhappy; there is discord in his marriage. Are books hidden in his house? The Mechanical Hound of the Fire Department, armed with a lethal hypodermic, escorted by helicopters, is ready to track down those dissidents who defy society to preserve and read books. The classic novel of a post-literate future, 'Fahrenheit 451' stands alongside Orwell's '1984' and Huxley's 'Brave New World' as a prophetic account of Western civilization's enslavement by the media, drugs and conformity. Now newly reimagined by gifted artist Tim Hamilton who has previously worked on illustrations for several high profile publications including The New York Times and Puffin's graphic novelization of Treasure Island. Bradbury's powerful and poetic prose combines with uncanny insight into the potential of technology to create a novel which over fifty years from first publication, still has the power to dazzle and shock.
Review
When I first read Farenheit 451 I didn't find it as involving as, say, 1984, but after reading this adaptation I think I need to re-read it. The artwork is unique and very atmospheric and the script tight and works best when dealing simply with the dialogue - it doesn't feel as if you're reading a comic. However when it comes to panel descriptions the script is unnecessary and almost hampers the flow of the story.
The story is a poignant comment on the state of the nation -which is ironic considering it was written over 40 years ago. I don't think we're that far away from the society that 451 portrays (the amount of people I know that say they don't have time to read anymore is a crime, and yet I do understand what they mean... life is becoming busier despite the amount of "free time" we have now) but I really hope we don't take that fatal step and start burning books. I think it was Neil Gaiman who made the connection between great societies and great libraries, and up till now it's been only fanatics and fools that burn books...
This is a great adaptation to a very prophetic book, and it's made me want to re-read the original again - which is no bad thing!
If you enjoy what we provide, please consider making a donation.
