Books

Paris: Seghers, 1974. First French Edition. New. Volume containing the screenplay for Truffaut's 1973 film Day For Night, starring Jacqueline Bisset, and his personal journal written while filming Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. Illustrated throughout with stills from both films. An interesting association copy inscribed to Rudi Fehr, whose credits include House of Wax (1953), I Confess (1953), and Dial M For Murder (1954). After a long hiatus, Fehr returned to edit One from the Heart (1982) and the John Huston-directed Prizzi's Honor (1985). In 1993 he received the American Cinema Editors Career Achievement Award. Narrow octavo (20.5cm); photo-illustrated wrappers with French flaps; [5],6-235,[5]pp; illus.; text is entirely in French. Inscribed by Truffaut to film editor Rudi Fehr on the title page: "Par Rudi Fehr / trés amicalement / François Truffaut." A few faint creases to wrappers, some laminate lift and flaking, else Very Good+ or better.

"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury is a dystopian novel set in a future society where books are outlawed, and critical thinking is suppressed. Firemen like Guy Montag are tasked with burning books to maintain social conformity and prevent dissent. Montag, initially content with his role, gradually becomes disillusioned with the oppressive regime. He starts to question the lack of intellectual freedom and begins secretly hoarding books, despite the grave risks associated with possessing them. His curiosity about the banned literature grows, leading him to seek knowledge and understanding in a world dominated by mindless entertainment and shallow pursuits. As Montag's curiosity deepens, he encounters Clarisse McClellan, a young woman whose inquisitiveness challenges his perceptions. Clarisse introduces him to new ideas, awakening his dormant curiosity and prompting him to reevaluate his life and society's values. Montag's internal conflict intensifies when his wife, Mildred, immersed in a world of superficial entertainment and technological distractions, betrays him by reporting his book collection to the authorities. Forced to confront the consequences of his actions, Montag becomes a fugitive, hunted by the government's oppressive forces. Throughout his journey, Montag meets individuals who still cling to fragments of the past, preserving literary works by memorizing them to pass on to future generations. He encounters a group of intellectuals who have dedicated themselves to preserving the knowledge contained in books, vowing to rebuild society once it has collapsed. Bradbury uses "Fahrenheit 451" to critique a society that values conformity over critical thinking, where the suppression of knowledge results in a population devoid of individuality and empathy. The novel explores themes of censorship, the power of information, the dangers of mindless consumption, and the importance of preserving intellectual freedom. In the end, Montag's pursuit of knowledge and truth leads to an intense confrontation with the oppressive regime, ultimately sparking a rebellion. The novel ends with a glimmer of hope as Montag joins a community of rebels who are committed to rebuilding a society that values intellectual curiosity and free thought. "Fahrenheit 451" remains a poignant and cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of intellectual suppression and the erosion of individual freedoms in a society driven by censorship and conformity. Bradbury's work continues to resonate, serving as a reminder of the significance of literature, critical thinking, and the preservation of knowledge in safeguarding the essence of humanity.

Presence of '451' on the fireman's helmet on the original cover, absence of reviews or later awards, and dust jacket price of $2.50 may indicate a first edition.