Play Audiobook Sample
Fahrenheit 451: A Novel Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
A new recording of Ray Bradbury’s timeless classic Fahrenheit 451 narrated by Penn Badgley!
Nearly seventy years after its original publication, Ray Bradbury’s internationally acclaimed novel Fahrenheit 451 stands as a classic of world literature set in a bleak, dystopian future. Today its message has grown more relevant than ever before.
Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television “family.” But when he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known.
Download and start listening now!
"This book gave me some insight on the possible future of humanity and some important factors include: absolute control, uniformity, and suppression of the arts. The absolute control was seen when nobody tried to disobey, except a select few. Having little dissenters shows that an absolute control existed. Uniformity was seen in that almost everybody watches TV religiously. This constant act creates uniformity by not letting people do other things. Lastly, the arts are suppressed by the fireman burning books. not having books or other written material really dashes all aspects of the arts. Overall, this book was important to my understanding of the future of humanity because it showed me control, uniformity, and suppression of the arts."
— Da (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“Penn Badgley, pleasant-voiced and convincing, is an outstanding narrator. His tone resonates with personality, and his subtle character shifts are effective, especially as he portrays this novel’s antihero, a fireman whose job is to burn books. Badgley’s pace is quick yet easy to follow. Even longer monologues are clearly phrased. He can offer a warm observation one minute and turn into a cold commentator the next, skillfully making Bradbury’s message accessible…Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile -
“A masterpiece…A glorious American classic everyone should read: It’s life-changing if you read it as a teen, and still stunning when you reread it as an adult.”
— Boston Globe
Awards
-
Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
-
A New York Public Library Staff Pick of Favorite Books of the Last 125 Years
Fahrenheit 451 Listener Reviews
-
" I absolutely loved this book. "
— Cody, 2/16/2014 -
" I loved the morals this book taught at the end of the book. I felt like I wanted to leave my handprint in the world for good. "
— Katie, 2/10/2014 -
" In Fahrenheit 451, humanity embraces a world without ponderous and innovative ideas, as they instead tend to focus on materialistic objects and themselves. This creates a society where the mind is lacking of imagination and information, as the Television plays a major role restricting man's thought processes. As for the future, nothing can be foretold or fully prevented, but after reading Bradbury's novel, one can easily perceive a lifestyle where the media, television, and movies replace the beauty of the knowledge of books. "
— Kartik, 2/10/2014 -
" ..what just happened. "
— Ellie, 2/7/2014 -
" I hated reading this book back in grade school, it was boring but I do like the concept of it. "
— Kelsey, 2/3/2014 -
" I honestly did not enjoy this book at all. I have read many reviews about this book and found out that some people really liked it and some people really did not like it. I was the one who hated this book. This book was boring beyond what I expected a boring book to be like. The plot of this book was creative but it seemed a bit too cliche. This book was written many years ago and Ray Bradbury was predicting the future of how people would stop reading books. In this book, firemen burnt books that were found in the town. Others might find this book not very cliche but the fact that the author wrote about the future of how people would stop reading books was something that I think is very cliche. I would not recommend this book to anybody. However, if you want to figure out whether you like this book or not, just like I did. This book was one of the books that took very long for me to finish. It was a very slow read and I really did not want to finish this book. After I stopped reading the book once, I honestly did not want to pick up this book again to read. "
— Mischak, 2/3/2014 -
" The harrowing, sometimes exceedingly obvious story about a book burning society in the near future. Bradbury is perhaps my favorite author, but F:451 is, I think, one of his more simplistic and weaker works. It doesn't carry the same haunting nostalgia as his better works, including his short stories, and for that I believe the world that exists here is not nearly as influential or memorable. "
— Jeff, 1/31/2014 -
" One of my all time favorites, will stand the test of time, and hopefully never become reality. "
— Onpointak, 1/28/2014 -
" This playscript version is even better "
— Luana, 1/26/2014 -
" Meant to read it for a while. I liked it. "
— Rahul, 1/25/2014 -
" Confusing. Interesting. Amazing. All words that can describe this book. Amazing in the end. "
— Aviline, 1/22/2014 -
" Packed with so many good ideas. I'll read, re-read and study it in the years to come. "
— Robin, 1/20/2014 -
" This book would possibly be 5 stars if I were a big fan of science fiction type stories, but I'm not. The story and message of Fahrenheit 451 are phenomenal. Not going to lie, I got aggravated at many points with too much detail into some things that were not necessary. It made me want to discontinue reading. Besides that, I think the writing in this book is possibly the best out of all I've read. Genius, actually. The writing flowed flawlessly and in all the right places. The world in which they live in with mindless people intrigued my interest and left me with a lot of positive thoughts. The best part was that, unlike most books, I was thoroughly pleased with the ending and was given enough closure. "
— Lilly, 1/19/2014 -
" Sadly true statement about society trying to censor thinking. Loved it. "
— Lisa, 1/17/2014 -
" Even though this book was very depressing with the book burnings, there were slightly more good moments than bad. "
— Thomas, 1/16/2014 -
" Liked this book. Very basic writing style,but great thinking book. Was part of a reading incentive at our library and I am glad I read it. "
— Betsy, 1/15/2014 -
" More dystopian goodness. Makes you rethink the value of the written word and free thinking, especially in a censorship-happy society. "
— Rachel, 1/13/2014 -
" I love Bradbury but this isn't one of my favs. Of course, I love the discourse on books and their importance to a society but I like his more overtly science fiction-y tales. :D "
— Melody, 1/12/2014 -
" Que los libros sean un peligro es un gran argumento muy divertido "
— Estrella, 1/12/2014 -
" "It was a pleasure to burn." "
— pjreads, 1/4/2014 -
" srsly it's not censorship! "
— Naterpotaters, 12/12/2013 -
" One of my all-time favorites. "
— Cathy, 12/10/2013 -
" Just re-read for Toronto One Book. I think I appreciate it more now. Still prefer his short stories, some of which are like Edward Hopper paintings come to life. "
— Akearney, 12/9/2013 -
" A great book! Picked it up on the off chance I would like it and I did! Hard to believe it was written over 60 years ago and so many of the concepts apply in a way to our society today! "
— Erica, 10/24/2013 -
" on the top list of Sci/Fi books! "
— Ali, 7/22/2013 -
" I didn't like this at all! While the premise was interesting, there's something about his writing style that just turns me off entirely. "
— Rei-En, 7/19/2013 -
" One of my favorites. A sad tale of what sensors hip can do to society. "
— Amy, 3/16/2013 -
" I would not say it's the best dystopian I've read, but definitely the most actual for today, although written 60 years ago. Very clear images of modern mass "culture", with all new developments and trends... "
— Max, 1/22/2013 -
" I tend not to care for dystopian fiction much at all, but it was quick and engaging. Would be good for discussion, but it's a bit too 'idea-first.' "
— Morgana, 12/29/2012 -
" It dragged on a bit at first, then it got really interesting. Overall, a great read with some very thought-provoking material. There are some quotable lines in here. "
— Nikki, 11/23/2012 -
" didn't love this book it just didn't catch my attention and was a little boring. "
— Katrina, 10/27/2012 -
" Loved the authors writing style. The smells and scenery truly unfolded as he told the story. I must sy the story was very eerie! "
— Linda, 7/4/2012 -
" One of the best books I ever read in High school. Begun my questioning of everything. "
— Ronald, 5/12/2012 -
" This classic has a powerful message, but an even more powerful hope. That no matter how strict censors become, no matter how complacent our society may become, eventually- with great passion, people will rise to assert their rights. "
— Tobye, 2/22/2012 -
" I especially liked the two possible endings "
— Kae, 12/9/2011 -
" A harsh portrayal of a world without knowledge matched with beautiful prose and a captivating story. Fahrenheit 451 is a masterpiece, and one of my favorite books of all time. "
— Augusta, 10/26/2011 -
" Mind blowing, makes you question today's society's culture. A dystopia disguised as a utopia. "
— Marie, 10/8/2011 -
" A literary masterwork, plain and simple. "
— Zachary, 10/6/2011 -
" I read this while in school and am amazed at how differently I view this now. "
— Becky, 7/3/2011 -
" This book is the worst thing I have ever read. If you think this is a book worth reading, go to your kitchen and stick your head in the oven. "
— Aj, 6/11/2011 -
" I love this book! If Mr. Bradbury could see the world now. He wasn't far off... "
— Cassandra, 6/9/2011 -
" well i just started reading this book not to long ago well im still trying to figure out what this book is about i like this book in away. but i do reccomend this book because its not a bad book its a really descent book to read i think people should read this book. "
— Jay, 5/23/2011 -
" Actually liked it. Just not that "fun" of a read. "
— Melissa, 5/23/2011 -
" well i just started reading this book not to long ago well im still trying to figure out what this book is about i like this book in away. but i do reccomend this book because its not a bad book its a really descent book to read i think people should read this book. "
— Jay, 5/23/2011 -
" Actually liked it. Just not that "fun" of a read. "
— Melissa, 5/23/2011 -
" Actually liked it. Just not that "fun" of a read. "
— Melissa, 5/23/2011 -
" A bleak commentary on society - what we could become, the role books play in maintaining a certain way of life. But there is hope in those of us who read the books because even if we read it only once, we have the memory that can sustain us all. "
— Rachel, 5/22/2011 -
" A bleak commentary on society - what we could become, the role books play in maintaining a certain way of life. But there is hope in those of us who read the books because even if we read it only once, we have the memory that can sustain us all. "
— Rachel, 5/22/2011 -
" A bleak commentary on society - what we could become, the role books play in maintaining a certain way of life. But there is hope in those of us who read the books because even if we read it only once, we have the memory that can sustain us all. "
— Rachel, 5/22/2011 -
" One of my favorite novels of all time. "
— Lyubov, 5/20/2011 -
" This was on of my first tastes of Bradbury. Literature has played such an important part in my life that I can't imagine life without something to read. Bradbury's provocative novel leaves plenty of room for reflection. "
— Edy, 5/20/2011 -
" Decent book, I wasnt too impressed but it was good. I absolulty hated the ending. "
— Steven, 5/20/2011 -
" This was on of my first tastes of Bradbury. Literature has played such an important part in my life that I can't imagine life without something to read. Bradbury's provocative novel leaves plenty of room for reflection. "
— Edy, 5/20/2011 -
" One of my favorite novels of all time. "
— Lyubov, 5/20/2011 -
" Decent book, I wasnt too impressed but it was good. I absolulty hated the ending. "
— Steven, 5/20/2011 -
" This was on of my first tastes of Bradbury. Literature has played such an important part in my life that I can't imagine life without something to read. Bradbury's provocative novel leaves plenty of room for reflection. "
— Edy, 5/20/2011 -
" One of my favorite novels of all time. "
— Lyubov, 5/20/2011 -
" Decent book, I wasnt too impressed but it was good. I absolulty hated the ending. "
— Steven, 5/20/2011 -
" I found this to be very thought provoking, loved it! "
— Rachelle, 5/19/2011 -
" I found this to be very thought provoking, loved it! "
— Rachelle, 5/19/2011 -
" Sobrevalorado. Bradbury no enciende con su prosa y su distopía es, incluso, inocentona. No hay garra, no hay interés. "
— Speedy, 5/19/2011 -
" Read it in 6th grade. And thus the radical in me was born. "
— Ashley, 5/19/2011 -
" I found this to be very thought provoking, loved it! "
— Rachelle, 5/19/2011 -
" Sobrevalorado. Bradbury no enciende con su prosa y su distopía es, incluso, inocentona. No hay garra, no hay interés. "
— Speedy, 5/19/2011 -
" Read it in 6th grade. And thus the radical in me was born. "
— Ashley, 5/19/2011 -
" Sobrevalorado. Bradbury no enciende con su prosa y su distopía es, incluso, inocentona. No hay garra, no hay interés. "
— Speedy, 5/19/2011 -
" Read it in 6th grade. And thus the radical in me was born. "
— Ashley, 5/19/2011 -
" This book was so good, that I chose the book for my two years working as an SLA at the library. "
— Caitlin, 5/17/2011 -
" A good story with a powerful message, but not a great book. Far from Ray Bradbury's best book. "
— David, 5/17/2011 -
" I wanted to throw this book across the room, but I loved it at the same time. Definitely a must read for book lovers. "
— Monica, 5/17/2011 -
" A good story with a powerful message, but not a great book. Far from Ray Bradbury's best book. "
— David, 5/17/2011 -
" I wanted to throw this book across the room, but I loved it at the same time. Definitely a must read for book lovers. "
— Monica, 5/17/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book. But then I like books that deal with extreme representations of what could possible happen to society. Other books of this type that I enjoyed are The road, Brave New World, to name only a couple. "
— John, 5/17/2011 -
" If I could rate this any higher, I definitely would. This novel was very formative for me, and has greatly influenced my continued quest for knowledge. Ten out of ten for style and plus several billion for good thinking!<br/> "
— Cathasaigh, 5/17/2011 -
" A good story with a powerful message, but not a great book. Far from Ray Bradbury's best book. "
— David, 5/17/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book. But then I like books that deal with extreme representations of what could possible happen to society. Other books of this type that I enjoyed are The road, Brave New World, to name only a couple. "
— John, 5/17/2011 -
" I wanted to throw this book across the room, but I loved it at the same time. Definitely a must read for book lovers. "
— Monica, 5/17/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book. But then I like books that deal with extreme representations of what could possible happen to society. Other books of this type that I enjoyed are The road, Brave New World, to name only a couple. "
— John, 5/17/2011 -
" If I could rate this any higher, I definitely would. This novel was very formative for me, and has greatly influenced my continued quest for knowledge. Ten out of ten for style and plus several billion for good thinking!<br/> "
— Cathasaigh, 5/17/2011 -
" Some science fiction of this age, tend to be outdated. This has really held up to the test of time. Read it with my son for his 10th grade english class. Lots to digest. "
— Jenny, 5/15/2011 -
" one of my very favorite books. "
— Meredith, 5/15/2011 -
" Some science fiction of this age, tend to be outdated. This has really held up to the test of time. Read it with my son for his 10th grade english class. Lots to digest. "
— Jenny, 5/15/2011 -
" one of my very favorite books. "
— Meredith, 5/15/2011 -
" i liked it.. i thought it was fascinating.. how fire fighters don't put out..but instead put on fires in this futuristic place.. i was intrigued with the girl in the story.. & his wife.. & the huge wall T.V'S.. i was fascinated.. most of my friends didn't think it was that great though. "
— Maria, 5/14/2011
About Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury (1920–2012), one of the most popular science fiction writers in the world, wrote more than five hundred short stories, novels, plays, and poems. He won many awards, including the Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the O. Henry Memorial Award, the Benjamin Franklin Award, the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the PEN Center USA West Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2000, he was the recipient of the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.