Date: 22 Oct 2017
Location: Joyce
Fourteen Bookers gathered at Joyce’s on a pleasant fall afternoon to discuss Guy Montag’s transformation from fire-man to book-man in Bradbury’s science fiction classic. Almost all of us had read the book, and, for those who read it years ago in our youths, we generally recalled the sense of dread or even fear that such a dystopian future could really come to pass.
I don’t believe any of us considered Fahrenheit 451 to be “great” literature or even, for that matter, great science fiction literature. Some of the main points came across as rather “preachy” dialogs, especially by Montag’s boss who seemed far too literate to be responsible for imposing anti-literacy on others. It is hard to imagine (even in sci-fi) how entire books could be memorized. Also, if the banning of books was as active as described, how could literacy itself survive?
Nonetheless, there is no questioning the success of Bradbury’s creation–it is listed on many (maybe most) lists of important books that should be read. Perhaps part of its success is due to the different lessons we can take from the book: a fear of authority’s control over what we are allowed to read, or the concern for technology’s abilty to distract us from meaningful pursuits, or the allure of the search for ‘happiness’ at the expense of wisdom or human enrichment.
As is often the case, our discussions ranged far and wide, perhaps because of the political/technological issues addressed in the book. (Some of this may also have been due to the member who generously shared some of her single-malt scotch.) And of course we finished the meeting with fine food and convivial discussions on Joyce’s back porch. It was another wonderful evening in what Joyce referred to as “The most out-of-control book-club meeting ever!”
— Bob