Fahrenheit 451 is the dystopian novel to end all other dystopian novels. No other book of its kind can match the depth of words nor the deft manner in which those words are composed. In Bradbury’s future, houses are fireproof, and the protagonist, Guy Montag, is a firefighter. Firefighters in this world do not stop fires—they start them, and the ultimate objective of a firefighter is to track down any books and burn them.  The individuals in the novel who own books are sometimes driven to emulation along with their books. Montag’s wife, as well as most of the other characters, are depressed to the point of suicide, and Montag himself reaches a mental state of existential crisis involving the very nature of the society he lives in as thrilling chaos ensues.

Ray Bradbury’s classic book is masterfully written. Despite its pages filled with metaphorical meaning and thought-provoking phrases, the novel is relatively short. Action-ridden and compelling, Fahrenheit 451 does not meander with excessive detail. The themes of the book, presented in a way that may be viewed as disturbing by some, resonate with the reader and can be applied, perhaps even more so than ever before, to modern life. One cannot be lost on the intense profoundness of the book. It is, without a doubt, a must-read for everyone.