Ray Bradbury is changing his mind. On one of his signature works, Fahrenheit 451, Ray is now saying his book about censorship, a book that has been interpreted that way for half a century, an interpretation he endoresed and help promote, he's now pulling a big "Psych" on us all. See, Fahrenheit 451 is all about the deleterious effects of TV on culture. The same way, I'm sure, 1984 is all about the previlence of web cams.
Well, Ray is the author, he can say his books are about whatever he say's they're about. I can see his point, and sure the book can be read that way. It doesn't mean that's the way we have to read it. Funny how art is that way.
Sure, yes, he does show in Fahrenheit 451 how TV has really become an opiate through Montag's wife. But even the last time I read Fahrenheit 451, it was about censorship, one that is embraced by the masses because they have the Walls (i.e. TV) and in ear radios to entertain and advetise to them. Just as important as the walls, at least by word count, is Montag's boss Beatty's info dump on why firemen burn, and the importance of Montag's neighbor, Clarisse McClellan and her "magical" presence.
Some people are talking about it (John Scalzi, Patrick Nielsen Hayden, and Dave Klecha).
4 comments:
Yeah, there's been a discussion about it over the GMR editors' group forum, too. I try to keep in mind that one is probably a very different person at the age of 87 than one is at the age of 33 (Bradbury was born in 1920, and Fahrenheit 451 was published in 1953). It doesn't detract form the art, just the artist.
Kind of like William H. Macy being all republican-y.
One has the right to change over time. And as the author, he can say the book is about whatever he says it's about. But then, Tolkien also casually mentioned the LotR was a tale for his kids, not any morality play, desire for the simple life over the mechanized life, homage to the myths he loved, or a WWII analogy.
That's fascinating! I agree w/ LBB--there are lots of crazy things (why, even dementia!) that can affect one's brain in 5+ decades.
The word verification "word" is Nafzvul--a LoTR word if I ever heard one.
Nafzvul, I think those are the ring wraiths when they came back in nurf bodies. :)
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