Week #31 – Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Last year on Mondays we had fun with books. This year, we'll look at most of the same books but also some new ones, and see if the first line [or first paragraph] met the goal of a first line which is ==> to hook the reader's attention.

Here are some tips on writing a first line

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-writing-the-opening-line-of-your-novel

Week #31 –  Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_451

First published: October 19, 1953

Here's what the story is about: In a future dystopian America where books have been outlawed, firemen burn any that are found. Guy Montag is a fireman who questions his role of destroying knowledge. He eventually quits his job and commits himself to preserving writings.

First line/paragraph:

It was a pleasure to burn.

It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head, and his hands were the hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history. With his symbolic helmet numbered 451 on his stolid head, and his eyes all orange flame with the thought of what came next, he flicked the igniter and the house jumped up in a gorging fire that burned the evening sky red and yellow and black. He strode in a swarm of fireflies. He wanted above all, like the old joke, to shove a marshmallow on a stick in the furnace, while the flapping pigeon-winged books died on the porch and lawn of the house. While the books went up in sparkling whirls and blew away on a wind turned dark with burning.

This appears to be third person limited voice. The first line is a classic and in my opinion a great hook. The first paragraph describes a man holding a brass nozzle [fire hose but NOT water to put it out], and he enjoyed watching a house, and especially the books inside it, burn. While it burned, he thought of roasting a marshmallow. We are in media res, watching the flames along with the fireman. The description of the fire is poetic and colorful, and we enjoy the fire as much as the fireman does. I would definitely continue reading.

Does this first line/paragraph hook your attention? If you had never heard of this story, would you buy this book in 2024? Knowing the story, would you change the first line? Tell us in the comments!