FAHRENHEIT 451

Like many sci-fi authors, Bradbury predicted many of today's less admirable achievements, such as earbuds and huge TVs. So not surprisingly, this 1953 title is timeless. Penn Badgley, pleasant-voiced and convincing, is an outstanding narrator. His tone resonates with personality, and his subtle character shifts are effective, especially as he portrays this novel's antihero, a fireman whose job is to burn books. Badgley's pace is quick yet easy to follow. Even longer monologues are clearly phrased. He can offer a warm observation one minute and turn into a cold commentator the next, skillfully making Bradbury's message accessible. At one point, exhorting the protagonist to actively embrace life, one character says, "Stuff your eyes with wonder." This audiobook invites you to do the same with your ears. L.B.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2025]