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  • Fahrenheit 451

  • Written by: Ray Bradbury
  • Narrated by: Tim Robbins
  • Length: 5 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,324 ratings)

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Fahrenheit 451

Written by: Ray Bradbury
Narrated by: Tim Robbins
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Publisher's Summary

Ray Bradbury's internationally acclaimed novel Fahrenheit 451 is a masterwork of 20th-century literature set in a bleak, dystopian future, narrated here by Academy Award-winning actor Tim Robbins.

Guy Montag is a fireman. In his world, where television rules and literature is on the brink of extinction, firemen start fires rather than put them out. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television "family". But then he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television. When Mildred attempts suicide and Clarisse suddenly disappears, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known. He starts hiding books in his home, and when his pilfering is discovered, the fireman has to run for his life.

©1951 Ray Bradbury (P)2014 Audible Inc.
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What the critics say

"Bradbury's iconic novel about the dangers of complacency and the value of curiosity gains a solid new voice with this audio performance. Tim Robbins puts his acting prowess to use here, creating superb dialogue and striding confidently through powerful speeches that celebrate books and warn against the lure of technology. Protagonist Montag burns with all the earnestness of a man eager for change; Faber's aged scholar simmers with cautious hope; Mildred's vacuous presence echoes emptily. Robbins provides the theatrical with the expected confidence, but he also makes good use of quiet in this production. He makes Bradbury's words even more powerful by remembering to pause at opportune moments to let them sink in." (AudioFile)

How Science Fiction Keeps Us Connected to Our Curiosity

You love Science Fiction and all of the wonderfully imaginative landscapes it conjures in your mind's eye. You can't wait for the big budget remakes of both Frank Herber's Dune and H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man hitting theatres later this year, but in the meantime, why not explore the genre's best with this list of incredible titles. Featuring The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, the titles mentioned above, and several other great listens, our list will remind you about that incredible feeling of curiosity, aspiration, and wonder you get every time you tune in. Find out how science fiction keeps us connected to our curiosity on our blog, Audible Explore.

What listeners say about Fahrenheit 451

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Compelling!

This famous sci-fi novella was written in the 1960’s. It centres on Guy Montag who, like all firemen, is now responsible for burning any books that may be found, now that buildings are all incombustible. Indeed, video entertainment and propaganda have replaced all printed words. Various episodes bring Montag to a reckoning.

Though soberly written, the work is instilled with suspense. It is all the more captivating, and disturbing, that in our Internet-suffused universe, totalitarian dystopias do not look as outlandish as they used to.

Easily read and thought-provoking, this work is more pertinent than ever and warmly recommended to all.

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Incredible!

Even though this book was written in 1953 you would never know it. Its message is timeless and very important. It was incredibly well written and entertaining. Not a dull moment in the entire book! Also, I can't say enough about the narrator. He was absolutely fabulous! He brought the book to life. His reading and acting are praiseworthy! Highly recommend this book with this particular narrator! Loved it!

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one of the best audio performances I've heard

This book is a perfect description of the atomization into individuals our developed society is increasingly facing under unfettered capitalism

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invigorating

picked up the book and put it down right after, downloaded audible so I can follow along with the voice artist instead and found I was more engaged in the novel, less distracted - more interested, etc.

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Makes you think

It is very easy to forget that this was written in the early 50's.

some of the things that are going on in this book are very relevant to this day, and makes me wonder how our future will really be like with how Social Media has taken over our lives, and continues to do so.

I enjoyed listening to this book, it is well written, and keeps you wanting more.
the performance by Tim Robbins was great!
I laughed whenever he was reading Molly's character, that little laugh he gives her!

great read/listen, you should give it a try!

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Classic

Well read Bradbury classic that still holds an important lesson for today, recommended for anyone.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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The narrator infantilized Clarisse McClellan

She's supposed to be an intuitive character - the narrator makes her appear accidentally and daftly so. Not all 17-year-old females are vapid... Listening to it was insulting to intelligence.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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breathe taking

Tim Robbins made this story come alive!
listening to this story performed like this leaves me to see it no other way

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great performance

really got the emotions right with the narration. loved it. One of Ray Bradburys best works

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One of the best!

Tim Robbins' performance is the best I've heard on audible until now. The book early on is absolutely worth it, but loses some of its magnificence later on.

If you enjoyed 1984, or feel like being immersed in a grim, philosophical world, this is a must hear.

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