Animal Farm
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4.5 • 849 Ratings
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Publisher Description
Animal Farm is a beast fable, in the form of a satirical allegorical novella, by George Orwell, first published in England on 17 August 1945. It tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy. Ultimately, the rebellion is betrayed, and under the dictatorship of a pig named Napoleon, the farm ends up in a state as bad as it was before.
According to Orwell, Animal Farm reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union. Orwell, a democratic socialist, was a critic of Joseph Stalin and hostile to Moscow-directed Stalinism, an attitude that was critically shaped by his experiences during the Barcelona May Days conflicts between the POUM and Stalinist forces during the Spanish Civil War. [a] In a letter to Yvonne Davet, Orwell described Animal Farm as a satirical tale against Stalin ("un conte satirique contre Staline"), and in his essay "Why I Write" (1946), wrote that Animal Farm was the first book in which he tried, with full consciousness of what he was doing, "to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole".
Customer Reviews
still relevant today
this isn’t book i’d usually be interested in reading but you definitely should. it has a strong message, and was surprisingly enjoyable. the ending angered me but overall a good book.
Humans are animals
“Pig to man man to pig it was difficult to tell the difference” hits hard
Still relevant now 5 stars
Just finished reading "Animal Farm" and it's an easy five stars from me! George Orwell's allegorical novella is a brilliant and timeless critique of totalitarianism. The story, centered around farm animals who overthrow their human farmer only to be subjected to a more oppressive regime by the pigs, is both thought-provoking and deeply unsettling.
Orwell masterfully uses the animals to represent different aspects of society and political ideologies. The pigs, led by Napoleon, gradually seize control, manipulating language and rewriting history to maintain their power. The other animals, initially driven by ideals of equality and freedom, become victims of propaganda, fear, and exploitation. The novel's simplicity makes it accessible, while its profound message resonates on multiple levels.
What makes "Animal Farm" a five-star read is its enduring relevance. The themes of power, corruption, and the dangers of unchecked authority are as pertinent today as they were when the book was first published. It's a chilling reminder of how easily revolutions can be betrayed and how important it is to remain vigilant against tyranny. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in politics, history, or the human condition.