Description

“Monday burn Millay, Wednesday Whitman, Friday Faulkner, burn ’em to ashes, then burn the ashes.” For Guy Montag, a career fireman for whom kerosene is perfume, this is not just an official slogan. It is a mantra, a duty, a way of life in a tightly monitored world where thinking is dangerous and books are forbidden. In 1953, Ray Bradbury envisioned one of the world’s most unforgettable dystopian futures, and in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, the artist Tim Hamilton translates this frightening modern masterpiece into a gorgeously imagined graphic novel. As could only occur with Bradbury’s full cooperation in this authorized adaptation, Hamilton has created a striking work of art that uniquely captures Montag’s awakening to the evil of government-controlled thought and the inestimable value of philosophy, theology, and literature. Including an original foreword by Ray Bradbury and fully depicting the brilliance and force of his canonic and beloved masterwork, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is an exceptional, haunting work of graphic literature. Tim Hamilton has produced art for The New York Times Book Review, Cicada magazine, King Features, BOOM Studios, Mad Magazine, and ACT-I-VATE. He also adapted Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island into a graphic novel.

Ray Bradbury is a multiple-award-winning novelist, short-story writer, essayist, playwright, screenwriter, and poet. An Eisner Award Nominee
An American Library Association Great Graphic Novel for Teens Nominee
A Texas Library Association Young Adult Round Table Recommended Graphic Novel
“Monday burn Millay, Wednesday Whitman, Friday Faulkner . . . Burn’em to ashes, then burn the ashes.” For Guy Montag, a career fireman for whom kerosene is perfume, this is not just an official slogan. It is a mantra, a duty, a way of life in a tightly monitored world where thinking is dangerous and books are forbidden. In 1953, Ray Bradbury envisioned one of the world’s most unforgettable dystopian futures, and in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, the artist Tim Hamilton translates this frightening modern masterpiece into a gorgeously imagined graphic novel. As could only occur with Bradbury’s full cooperation in this authorized adaptation, Hamilton has created a striking work of art that uniquely captures Montag’s awakening to the evil of government-controlled thought and the inestimable value of philosophy, theology, and literature. Including an original foreword by Ray Bradbury and fully depicting the brilliance and force of his canonic masterwork, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 is a haunting work of graphic literature. “A new adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s classic work Fahrenheit 451, with a fascinating and challenging new introduction by the author, is a vivid reminder of the special power of a graphic novel, of the genre’s ability to do things that words alone can’t . . . If you know the novel, you’ll still be thrilled by Tim Hamilton’s artwork in this new version, which combines a comic-book clarity—the panels are simple and straightforward, without the distraction of a lot of visual razzmatazz—with a deep, humane rendering of the novel’s theme.”—Julia Keller, Chicago Tribune "As evidenced by Tim Hamilton's authorized graphic novel, time has not dulled its tart, terrifying resonance. Vibrant and vital, Hamilton’s take on Fahrenheit 451 is far more than an illustrated version of Bradbury's 1953 classic. While its text belongs to Bradbury, Hamilton, a founding member of the online comics collaborative www.activatecomix.com, saturates the story with his own evocative energy and vision. He doesn't use all of Bradbury’s words, instead allowing the story’s inherent visual propulsion to add even more depth and texture to an already-indelible tale. Given this novel's graphic heft, it's strange that there has been only one film production, a 1966 adaptation written and directed by François Truffaut. Then again, perhaps that’s because this is a work that, despite its many images of immolation, is more about provocative ideas than things blowing up. And here, Hamilton never compromises the cerebral for the visceral as he lures readers into a world careening into madness . . . Hamilton's arousing adaptation doesn't just update Bradbury's novel. It primes Fahrenheit 451, long a staple of high school and college reading lists, for rediscovery. Like the greatest works of art, its rugged heart and soul are evergreen; that it is, perhaps, even more relevant today, imbues the book with an unsettling prescience that even Bradbury may never have predicted."—Renee Graham, The Boston Globe  "A new adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s classic work Fahrenheit 451, with a fascinating and challenging new introduction by the author, is a vivid reminder of the special power of a graphic novel, of the genre’s ability to do things that words alone can’t. Believe me, I often question my affection for graphic novels. I loved Superman as a kid, but when it comes to comics, we’re not in Kansas anymore. Graphic novels have become terrifically popular, thanks to fiercely imaginative practitioners like Neil Gaiman, as well as to a growing body of sophisticated theoretical work on the genre by astute writers such as Scott McCloud and Douglas Wolk . . . The new graphic version of Fahrenheit 451 has helped sort out the contents of my soul. And I’m happy to report that I’m in the clear. I am quite certain that I’d be trumpeting the virtues of this work even if graphic novels weren’t on everybody’s hot list . . . If you know the novel, you'll still be thrilled by Tim Hamilton’s artwork in this new version, which combines a comic-book clarity—the panels are simple and straightforward, without the distraction of a lot of visual razzmatazz—with a deep, humane rendering of the novel’s theme . . . Some of my anti-comics correspondents claim that reading a graphic novel is not really 'reading' at all. They're right. It's something else again. In the case of Fahrenheit 451, it's more like a life-changing immersion in ideas, words, echoes, symbols, characters, lines, colors, nightmares—and finally, daybreak."—Julia Keller, Chicago Tribune

“[Hamilton] boasts the tools—and chops—to take on a Bradbury classic that’s already tripped up the greats (like François Truffaut). He turns in a vivid and relevant meditation that will surely become a resurgent favorite of nervous librarians everywhere.”—The Miami Herald

“This searing cautionary tale, in which ‘firemen’ destroy all printed material except magazines and comics, remains one of science fiction’s best-known works. And it is now, perhaps, one of the best graphic novels of 2009 . . . Where the novel felt scalding, the graphic novel feels necessary. It makes this cautionary tale hip to the present generation and updates it by transporting it to a newly vibrant medium. It’s slightly frightening that after more than 55 years, the retelling seems so pertinent.”—Laurel Maury, NPR

“With strikingly visual flames and the mechanical hound, the story is packed with elements that explode off the pages and burn themselves into the reader’s mind, even when “limited” to prose.  Artist Tim Hamilton’s style, clean with a muted color palette that erupts into jagged lines and eye-searing yellows and oranges when the arson begins, fits Bradbury’s 50s dystopian vision like a glove.  The bleak coloring reflects the life drained out of society, a dour world of ambition-free ‘happiness’ and senseless satisfaction.  The panel-to-panel progressions read clearly, and all of the thematic power remains on the page.”—Newsarama

“Tim Hamilton’s illustrations have brought new life to this venerable work.”—ICv2

"This adaptation of Bradbury’s iconic classic about the perils of censorship has an introduction by the author that is an insightful discussion of how a story can be altered even by its originator as it takes on new forms and lengths. Hamilton’s moody palette and 1950s version of 'the future' fit well with the original text. In keeping with the period feel, such visual details as characters’ noses project personal traits. Best of all, this rendition of the endangered books themselves shows well-thumbed copies of titles by authors teens will recognize as seminal, such as Darwin and Shakespeare. This is a good crossover graphic novel for classrooms but even better as a discovery for sci/fi readers browsing the shelves."—Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia, School Library Journal 

"A graphic novel that even those who don't read graphic novels will love, this visualization of Bradbury's classic looks bold, bright, and almost too hot to handle. Even better: Hamilton, a noted artist who's been all over the map, worked directly with the [sci-fi] legend."—Library Journal

“It’s no wonder Hamilton’s comic novelization is authorized by Bradbury himself: this evocative button-pusher will almost certainly entice readers to seek out the original . . . Hamilton renders much of the story in triptych panels and moody, two-tone palettes that blot characters’ features into Munch-like skills. This mysterious and measured tone pays off during the fiery moments, when the art fractures into dazzling red sickles.”—Daniel Kraus, Booklist

"A faithful adaptation of the original, Hamilton's comics version conveys the social commentary of the novel, while using the images to develop the tone. He uses grainy, static colors and images obscured by heavy black shadows and textures to portray the oppressive nature of this world where firemen start fires instead of putting them out . . . The art solidifies atmospheric elements such as the fire and rain; fire, tapering and curling, is rendered into a crucial additional character. Since the original expounds the importance of valuing and preserving books and knowledge, adapting it into the comics form emphasizes the growth of the medium, as well as its potency across genres and subjects."—Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Ray Bradbury is a multiple-award-winning novelist, short-story writer, essayist, playwright, screenwriter, and poet. Tim Hamilton has produced art for The New York Times Book Review, Cicada magazine, King Features, BOOM Studios, Mad Magazine, and ACT-I-VATE. He most recently adapted Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island into a graphic novel for Puffin Graphics.

Praise for Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation…

“A graphic adaptation of a novel like Fahrenheit 451 is more than just an illustrated version of the original . . . The book has the look of a classic comic. Hamilton deliberately limited his color choices, so much of the book is in the muted tones of blue, green and gray. But that is punctuated by the fire scenes, which reflect some of the most memorable passages in the novel . . . Apart from the images, Hamilton manages to retain much of the power of Bradbury’s original words.” —Lynn Neary, NPR “If you know the novel, you’ll still be thrilled by Tim Hamilton’s artwork in this new version, which combines a comic-book clarity—the panels are simple and straightforward, without the distraction of a lot of visual razzmatazz—with a deep, humane rendering of the novel’s theme.” —Julia Keller, Chicago Tribune “Vibrant and vital . . . [Hamilton] saturates the story with his own evocative energy and vision. He doesn’t use all of Bradbury’s words, instead allowing the story’s inherent visual propulsion to add even more depth and texture to an already-indelible tale . . . Hamilton’s arousing adaptation doesn’t just update Bradbury’s novel. It primes Fahrenheit 451, long a staple of high school and college reading lists, for rediscovery. Like the greatest works of art, its rugged heart and soul are evergreen; that it is, perhaps, even more relevant today, imbues the book with an unsettling prescience that even Bradbury may never have predicted.” —Renee Graham, The Boston Globe  “[Hamilton] boasts the tools—and chops—to take on a Bradbury classic that’s already tripped up the greats (like François Truffaut). He turns in a vivid and relevant meditation that will surely become a resurgent favorite of nervous librarians everywhere.”—Richard Pachter, The Miami Herald “Tim Hamilton’s illustrations have given new life to this venerable work.” —Nick Smith, ICv2 “Turning Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 into a graphic novel couldn’t have been an easy task. After all, the action in the veteran sci-fi author’s 1953 novel . . . largely consists of characters sitting around a fire station talking about books, characters sitting around a suburban living room talking about books, and characters sitting around a twilit campfire talking about books. Fortunately, Tim Hamilton proves himself up to the task of making such scenes visually arresting, through stark shadows and subtly rendered facial expressions . . . Hamilton renders the tome-torching sequences in brilliant bursts of orange and yellow, and you can almost feel the flames crackling off the pages.” —John Lucas, The Georgia Straight (Vancouver) “Illustrated by Tim Hamilton, whose simple style can carry a threat all its own, this version is likely to take off.” —Kel Munger, Sacramento News Review “If you enjoyed watching the apocalyptic Watchmen, or Frank Miller’s Sin City and The Spirit, you really must hustle to your nearest book store to pick up a copy of the new Fahrenheit 451 . . . With its sharp dialogue, powerful message, and stunning imagery, Fahrenheit 451 burns white hot.” —Nylon Guys “The intellectually and viscerally engaging story is quite effective in graphic form. Hamilton’s consistently muted color palette of blacks, blues, and grays sustains the overarching brooding mood and renders the bright flashes of red and orange flames all the more startling in contrast. Fans of 451 should find this version illuminating, and those who haven’t read the original novel may seek it out after reading this fine adaptation.” —John Edward Royall, Charleston City Paper “If you want a condensed classic, with pictures, this authorized version fits the bill. The art has a dark, flattened feel and stays low-key, only striking a strong note in the unnatural, spiky rendering of flames.” —Alex Good, Waterloo Region Record