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Monday 3 November 2014

Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury

Last time I read this book was probably almost 40 years ago...

The story is very prescient, especially considering it was written in 1953.  His vision is somewhat similar to Orwell's and Huxley's but the basis of control is completely different - the elimination of social conflict through homogenization of society.  The primacy of "fun" as a method of social control.  Turns out this model is much closer to the direction of American society than the other two.  Orwell and Huxley reflect more the drift of the Soviet state and its satellite states.

Bradbury is a brilliant writer.  Not quite sure how, but he is.  In just a few simple sentences he seems to be able to express the essence of a character, a situation, a place.  You can see it in your mind's eye.
I must try some of his fantasy/science fiction works.

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