This book is my favorite beware-the-future book so far. While in 1984, which I can't help but compare it to, we're faced with an oppressive government that keeps the people down, in Fahrenheit 451 the people do it to themselves.
As I mention on my rants page, the society in Fahrenheit 451 is frighteningly like ours. We have huge TVs, we listen to music constantly, we drive too fast, we don't read books and we look down on those who do. People try to commit suicide for no reason. It's all here, right now. And it's gonna get a lot worse before it gets any better. I think maybe that's why teachers try to make kids read this, but just by forcing it on them it takes away the point. Still, everyone should read this if they want a good look at our society by looking at a fictional one that so closely resembles ours.
All high-sounding talk of society and stuff aside, this book is also way cool for one reason: firemen burn books. Guy Montag is one of the coolest characters in literature, man. When I read this book, I wanted a salamander tattoo. I guess I sort of still do.
The only part of this book which really annoys me is the end. I don't think people could really memorize books, or be able to remember it well enough to capture the original. And come on, those people are total hippies. Not cool hippies either.
Still, it's a good book. Out of all the "literature" I've read, as opposed to modern books that are turned out for entertainment, I'd have to say this is one of my favorites.