Jackson Free Press

Some people argue that the purpose of good literature is to make you think, while the purpose of good art is to make you feel. While this is an oversimplification, it does hold some merit. What, then, happens when these two mediums are combined? Tim Hamilton's graphic adaptation of Ray Bradbury's classic "Fahrenheit 451" is the latest in a string of artistic interpretations of important novels, which includes "Macbeth," "Jane Eyre," "The Stand," "Pride and Prejudice" and "Treasure Island." Unlike most of these authors, however, Bradbury is alive to ensure the spirit of his most well-known book is maintained.

"Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation" (Hill and Wang, 2009, $16.95) shows a society where firefighters no longer put out fires, but rather burn books that the public has censored—which is relatively ironic given this book itself has often been banned in real life. In this world, Guy Montag, our hero and protagonist, is a proud member of the fire department and, like most of society, believes his actions are righteous. He undergoes a crisis when an unusual teenaged neighbor named Clarisse causes him to question himself. He soon realizes that something is missing, but doesn't know what that is. The graphic novel depicts his quest to discover why he is not content with his life and marriage.

Fan-favorite artists such as Jim Lee or J. Scott Campbell may have depicted this book with more flash at the risk of overshadowing the actual story. However, Hamilton's art serves the story without detracting from it. Within these constraints, he uses color to illustrate the mood of the book. Clarisse is often depicted in yellows, which match her spirit, compared to the drab blues and browns of the world around her. Similarly, Hamilton uses sickly shades of green to define the uncaring paramedics early in the story.

This graphic novel succeeds as a primer to the actual book. While the graphic adaptation and the book are roughly equal in page length, it is not practical to illustrate every scene of the book in the graphic novel. However, Hamilton captures the spirit of the novel and its key plot points.

The ACLU Banned Book Club recently selected and discussed the original "Fahrenheit 451" text as its July novel. Held every first month at the Wired Espresso Café downtown, newcomers are encouraged to come visit. The novel for the month of August is Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World."