Interview with Tim Hamilton, author of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation

The ABFFE Book of the Month for August is Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation by Tim Hamilton. In 1953, Ray Bradbury rented a typewriter in the UCLA library and wrote Fahrenheit 451 in nine days. (Maybe the speed owed something to the fact that he was paying 10 cents per hour.) Today, the classic tale of a bookburner who learns to love books still sells 50,000 copies per year. Tim Hamilton's graphic adaption was published in July by Hill and Wang (978-0809051007).

                                       Interview with Tim Hamilton

ABFFE: When did you first read Fahrenheit 451?

Tim Hamilton: Mr Bradbury talks about how he has a perfect memory but I, alas, am not gifted with that fantastic attribute. So my answer would have to simply be “high school.” Actually, I more vividly remember reading Bradbury’s short story “A Sound of Thunder.” In 5th or 6th grade I remember we read Charlotte's Web, which I loved, but then in 7th grade a teacher gave me a book of short stories with “A Sound of Thunder” in it. That was the transition I remember from kid’s books to the world of more sophisticated novels. I think I read Childhood’s End after that, but it was Bradbury who opened the doors to that world. I know I read many of Bradbury’s short stories in Junior and Senior High. I remember other student groaning about having to read a novel in English class and being so confused! I’d take home whatever book they gave us and think that it was too good to be true. Read a story for our homework!? Sounded great to me. That and art was the only homework I liked though. Algebra was another story.

ABFFE: Why did you want to recreate it as a graphic novel?

TH: Well, first off I have to say it wasn’t my idea to do so. The publisher came to me. As I’ve said before, it was a terrifying prospect to be responsible for adapting such a famous and important book, but how could I say no? Illustration is my job. I love art and illustration. This job just happens to be a bit more fantastic than any other. Quite a bit more fantastic!

ABFFE: What was it like working with Ray Bradbury?
TH: Ray finished writing “451” back in the 50’s, so I don’t like to say that I worked with him on this. He approved of the adaptation I did and approved of my artistic ideas I had for the book. We really didn’t have any big points of contention. I guess you could say, I felt as though he was looking over my shoulder all the time. I do throw away pages at times or re do panels. Thus, working on this book I thought, “what if Mr. Bradbury sees this awful page I drew? Into the garbage this one goes!” In short, it was terrifying…then it was a thrill…then it was terrifying and on and on…

ABFFE: What book would you memorize?
TH: I think I HAVE memorized parts of  I, Claudius. I love history, and the wit and love that obviously went into that book is evident on every page. It’s poetry. If time where not so precious, I would spend more summers with Claudius Tiberius Drusus Nero Germanicus. Did I remember that correctly?
 

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