Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury
reviewed by Isabella Fraley
Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian novel written by Ray Bradbury, explores the significance of individualism within a factional grim and oppressed society. The story follows Guy Montag, a fireman in a post apocalyptic United States whose only job is to start fires, rather than diminish them. He does so in order to burn books, which have been prohibited by the government. Citizens resort to indulging in mind-numbing television, remaining oblivious to the vast quantity of knowledge they are being deprived of. Guy Montag is yet another victim of this ignorance until one evening he encounters a young girl named Clarisse. He is captivated by her strange and unfamiliar behavior compared to the people around him and soon, his entire outlook on the world radically changes. Montag begins to question the purpose of his very occupation as well as the philosophical boundaries that restricts the citizens of his society. Bradbury takes the reader on an intriguing journey as Guy Montag begins to formulate his own opinions, and recognizes the importance of wisdom and self expression. He fights back against the social pressure that once consumed him, and rebels against his government, betraying everything he once believed. Throughout the novel, the author shows Montag’s self improvement through vivid storytelling, serving as an example of how individuality defines who we are.
Intense and foreboding scenes result in jaw-dropping moments, leaving the reader caught off guard, yet yearning for more. As I read the novel, I couldn’t help but feel as though I was witnessing the quiet walks under the moonlight, or the blazing infernos of destruction right alongside the characters. The riveting plot and numerous action sequences keeps the reader engaged and unable to put the book down. I was amazed by Bradbury’s ability to communicate such complex ideas through an exciting tale of a man’s fight against society. This novel has touched me immensely, and I will never again take literature for granted, because serious consequences can result from societal conformity.
Birthmarked
by Caragh M O'Brien
reviewed by Nancy Zhao
Birthmarked, would be those books that have surprise twists in the story where you do not expect it would happen. It is also one of those fast paced books that get right into the story. Personally, I hate reading books that are really slow paced and I tend to just give up in the middle. After reading this book, I felt like it was one of the best books I have ever read and it is literally the perfect book for me. It is about adventure, dystopian cultures and the secrets that the society is hiding.
In this novel, Gaia Stone, the main character, who lives outside the wall of the Enclave, she continues her mother’s job, to deliver healthy babies for the Enclave. When one day, she finds her parents captured by the people from the Enclave. Because of that, she starts her adventure first sneaking inside then finding out the reason and more stories behind the capture.
While I was reading, I felt like I solved the codes and puzzles with Gaia and step by step we found the answer to the mystery of the Enclave. At the start, there is a group of people that discovered a kind of wheat that could grow in any harsh conditions. So they built a city and ignored everyone that wanted to come and live with them. They did allow them to build little farms around the city, however the ‘insiders’ made the people on the outside to provide them food and water. When one day, they realized they had too little people in the city they started to make the people outside to provide them babies. On the other hand, if you think about this in a deeper understanding, the world used to be like this. During the 1800s, slavery was a huge problem. The people that had more power made the weak ones work for them with nothing in return. Some of the blacks even gave up and accepted the fact that they are just always going have to be the ones that has to take the orders.
In my opinion, this is one of the best books I have ever read. If you like books that has to do with dystopian societies, finding out the codes or fast paced books, this is definitely the right book for you.
Uglies
by Scott Westerfeld
reviewed by Natalie Burnham
Scott Westerfield’s science fiction novel Uglies follows a community where a person stays “ugly” until they are sixteen, when they then have a surgery to become “pretty.” More specifically, Uglies follows an ugly named Tally Youngblood, who only ever wanted to join her best friend Peris-who was older than her- in the pretty world. Only, things start to go askew when she meets Shay, an act-before-she-thinks ugly who starts to change Tally- in a rebellious way. When I first read this book, and I’ve read it about five times now, the first thing that came to mind was “This is our society, too.” Teenagers, usually up to about the age of sixteen (give or take a few years), are considered awkward, gangly, and ugly. Then, they “miraculously” change into adults, no longer awkward or out of place. But also, the novel highlights the idea of natural beauty, especially when an ugly falls in love with Tally herself- when she’s still an ugly. The novel talks a lot about the surgery, which is the equivalent to plastic surgery, with a lot more attached. But basically, the surgery is the same as plastic surgery today.
My thoughts are, which then continues in the next book Pretties, what would actually happen if everyone was pretty? Or, maybe just the stereotypical, “Hollywood” beautiful? Even in their world, they find other ways to become superior or inferior to one another. That would happen in our society, too, because humans (in my opinion) fall to superiority and inferiority. The next book especially, but also the first, show ways that we don’t think about when we are thinking about how our society could change. Even if we all were stereotypically “perfect”, there would still be ways to separate people.
But, either way, this book is one of my favourite books. The characters are very relatable, because they’re near our age, and feeling (obviously) out of place, and kind of going through similar situations- though their situations are a bit more extreme. The novel keeps you interested with romance, action, adventure, and friendship. I couldn’t put it down. Definitely recommend this book to anyone!
