Fahrenheit 451

By: Ray Bradbury

Narrated by: Tim Robbins

Length: 5 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

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.

Critic reviews

"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)

Excellently Narrated!

I thoroughly enjoyed this Audible production of this book, although it is somewhat ironic to listen (with my “seashells” in, no less) to it and not read it written with ink on paper. Tim Robbin’s narration is perfect for the literary style of this book, giving voice to the inner conflict and angst of Montaigne, the main character. Regarding the story, Mr. Bradbury had much to say about a society rendered thoughtless and senseless by removing books and replacing them with entertainment. It is disturbing in the book’s prescience of our present day considering the direction society and culture appears to be heading. The question of why this book is no longer commonly required high school reading is a testament of the author’s warnings. I’m inspired to pick up the actual book and read and mentally unpack it at a slower pace. Still, I think I’ll be hearing Mr. Robbins’s voice echoing in my mind as I read.

Great book

although Tim Robbins sounds a little drunk sometimes he's ends up giving a Great performance of this very important book

Annoying voices, excellent story

The narrator's voice for Mildred is incredibly annoying, but I can accept that, because she's an intentionally annoying character. The voice for Faber is also pretty annoying though, and that I have more trouble accepting. Good in all other regards though.

Short Powerful Book Masterfully Read

I have read F-451 several times. But it had been awhile and when I saw the Tim Robbins was narrating, I gave it a listen. It is excellent. The book holds up with a lot of prophetic elements. Bradbury had a great understanding of a possible technological and political future.

The premise of the book can seem strange, firemen hired to burn books instead of extinguish fires, but this story is about radical change and what people of power will do to instigate or stop change.

Parts of the dialogue are breathtaking and Robbins is able to truly bring them to life. He does a wonderful job of expressing different characters without trying to make each sound radically different. He does not try to sound like a woman character, he sounds feminine. He does not try to sound like an old man, he just sounds wise and mature. He is a great narrator and I hope to find some other reads by him.

Overall a quick and great book and read.

Great Performance!

Great audio performance by Tim Robbins. He brings the book alive and really performs the parts rather than just reading the story. This book shockingly predicts a world where deep thought and passion have been replaced with superficial distractions and apathy. I couldn't help drawing comparisons to our modern world.

All Americans should read this

This book is right up there with 1984. You think these books are fantasy but look how far we have come since 2020. Beware America or we won’t have freedom. God Bless America!

Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 still burns brightly

Where does Fahrenheit 451 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Fahrenheit 451 is one of my favorites. Ray Bradbury's take on a futuristic dystopia remains plausible nearly 70 years running.

What other book might you compare Fahrenheit 451 to and why?

The Underhanded and the Right. Both are unique fast paced dystopian stories with memorable characters.

Which character – as performed by Tim Robbins – was your favorite?

Faber's conversations with Montag.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Granger talking to Montag about his grandfather and how his death meant that all the actions he performed died with him -- very poignant and touching.

Any additional comments?

Tim Robbins' narration was excellent! I was very pleased with his voicing and characters. Bradbury's work deserved exceptional narration and Robbins delivered -- very well done!

Still relevant today. Outstanding.

An exceptional science fiction novel. I reccomend Farenheit 451 to any lover of Utopian/Dystopian literature.

It is still a fantastic story and a timeless classic

This was one of those books that was on the list of recommended reading in high school, some 67 years ago, that I never got around to reading. Now I can’t wait to share it with my granddaughters. Audiobooks open the world of literature for the now generation. Thank you Audiobooks!!!

Dystopian classic? No, so much more!!

This book is so much more than the dystopian classic i expected. It is so beautifully written I was mesmerized from start to finish! Robbins brings this story to life, he reads it with passion and angst. Like 1984, this book is so relevant today that you may find it surprising how old it really is. Fahrenheit 451 is prophetic, poetic, prosaic, and powerful. I will be reading this one again, as one listen just isnt enough to fully appreciate the depth and quality of this journey. EXCELLENT all around!!