This is probably my last Classic Remarks for the year (looking forward to the 2021 prompts!) and I joined in, really only because I cannot pass up an opportunity to talk about Fahrenheit 451.
But first, the prompt:
Tell us about your favorite science fiction classic.
Every time someone asks me to recommend a Science Fiction book, I almost always recommend Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Which speaks:
a. to my lack of knowledge of the Sci-Fi genre (I still don’t understand why Sci-Fi and Fantasy get lumped together when they feel so different)
b. the fact that MOE/my school made an excellent choice for their O Level literature text.
Yes, this was a book that I studied in school and not only did I graduate without hating literature, I continue to recommend this book that I spent two years (probably) overanalysing.
So why do I like Fahrenheit 451 so much? The main reason, for me, is that the world of Fahrenheit 451 feels very, very possible. A population that judges political candidates by how they present themselves? People addicted to interactive TV screens? Parts of the book feel like they’re already happening while others feel like they could happen in the next decade or so.
Plus, the book is pretty short, which makes it easy to recommend both to reading and less-reading friends. I mean, I could recommend longer texts like… I don’t know War and Peace but the probability of people finishing that is much, much lower.
So you have a world that is plausible and a gripping story wrapped up in one fairly short package. In my view, that makes it a great book to push onto other people. Plus, it’s my favourite science fiction book, so recommending it enthusiastically is easy for me to do.
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Science fiction is just one of those genres that seems to encourage fanaticism, and although I’ve read most of the greats – Bradbury, Asimov, Heinlein, Dick, Douglas Adams, Harry Harrison, et al. – if I have to choose a hill to die on then it would be “Dune”, by Frank Herbert.
I am ready to be tarred for admitting that I’ve not read Dune but I guess that also means I get to experience it for the first time when I finally read it?
In my experience it’s slipped under many people’s radar, so you’re not alone by any means, but when you get around to reading it you’ll be in for a treat… 🙂
Oh gosh, I really didn’t like Fahrenheit 451. I found the text pretentious and the actions of individuals so robotic and overly structured. It was one I was hoping to adore cause I read it not long after the Handmaid’s Tale (very different but often lumped in together in recommendations) and was just very disappointed
Funnily enough, I think I did a passage of Handmaid’s Tale for an unseen prose analysis and decided I didn’t need to read the book after that 😂😂 I wonder if these are mutually exclusive reads or something
Oooooh that’s a possibility! I scored the handmaid’s tale so much. Love that in things like this we’re complete opposites hahaha
I enjoy reading science fiction, although have not read a lot of the classics. I have read Fahrenheit 451, which I liked quite a bit–how relevant it was–and still is–to our reality. My husband turned me onto Heinlein during our college years, and I liked what I read of his. I have wanted to read Dune for a long time, but haven’t managed it yet. I remember liking 1984 when I read it years ago. I only recently read Brave New World and didn’t like it much at all. I love The Handmaid’s Tale, more of a modern fiction classic. Such a powerful book. That would probably be my favorite.
I have always read more fantasy than science fiction, and admit it’s one of my pet peeves when people call one the other and vice versa.
I feel like I’ve read 1984 years ago, but I don’t remember much about it.
Yes, to me, Science Fiction (especially hard science fiction) has such a different feel from Fantasy! I suppose there are some overlaps (perhaps Cinder?) but I tend to think of them as different genres in general.
I remember really enjoying Fahrenheit 451, but I admit I don’t remember much of it. You’ve made me want to revisit it!
Yay! I hope you enjoy it just as much on re-reading!
Studied Fahrenheit 451 in high school and feel like it’s gotten more relevant each year. Especially with the rise of Trump and Brexit, it’s become so much more relevant!
Yes! And the technology addiction (plus how people choose which candidate to vote for…)