Animal Farm

As with most readers, my intro to George Orwell came by way of Nineteen Eighty-Four. The novel remains a dystopian masterpiece by which all others are measured. It birthed an entire genre and coined the “Orwellian” adjective, used to describe ideas that are uniquely corrosive to society. Its influence can be seen in countless titles, everything from The Handmaid’s Tale to The Hunger Games.Nineteen Eighty-Four is a haunting tale of totalitarian overreach. It’s very hard to read, but not because of challenging prose. Rather, it carries an uncomfortable realness and familiarity. The ongoing ails of society are trapped within its pages. The lessons are disturbing, necessary, and leave you with a looming sense of dread that is impossible to shake.Thus, a general rule for reading more Orwell is “Did you like Nineteen Eighty-Four?”In answering the question for myself, the term “like” might be a tad anemic. Orwell painted with words and few can match his prose, so “appreciate” sounds better since it’s damn near impossible to “enjoy” Nineteen Eighty-Four. But yes, once the mind-melting horror had faded from my conscience, I was ready to explore the next Orwellian nightmare.For most, that takes the form of Animal Farm.This is a short novella written as a satirical fable, the premise of which is deceptively simple. The animals of a poorly run farm decide to rebel. They drive out the human owner and take over operations, with the goal of creating an animal utopia. Sounds cute, right? But then you learn that Orwell mirrored the story on the events that sparked the Russian Revolution and rise of Stalin. It goes about as well as you’d think.From an educational standpoint, Animal Farm does something truly remarkable. It teaches us about the perils of dictatorships in a short parable about rebellious livestock. We learn, in no uncertain terms, just how easy it is to manipulate good intent. In the immortal words of Ron Burgundy, “That escalated quickly.” Orwell knew how to twist a stomach, and this frightening novella is another shining example.So, did I “like” Animal Farm? Not particularly. But that’s only because it was a brilliant, heedful, and harrowing read that stabbed my brain.

Animal Farm is also an extraordinary exploration of the workings of propaganda. Among the many memorable lines from Orwell’s Animal Farm, no doubt the phrase “all animals are equal but some are more equal than others” is the best known. One can think of our current political and social landscape where we could say that in the United States of America all are equal, but more will be made equal by those who work and accomplish, and will be compelled to be responsible for taking care of the less equal by making the less equal the most equal.So when you vote now or anytime in the foreseeable future, ask these questions: Will I vote for Pigs (read Orwell’s Animal Farm) to be in power? Will I vote for the Grand Liars or the tiny liars? Will I vote for the Evil Perverters of Truth or the evil perverters of truth? Words for thought, while some words still mean something!

It is amazing how we can see "human nature" has not changed. We need to be wiser so we are not the ignorant animals of the world wind up like this or as humans in "1984."

Mr. Orwell wrote an interesting book true to the character of and perhaps animals to be controlling , selfish and greedy in the own way.

A quick read where the plot becomes apparent and predictable in short order. I recommend reading this book and sharing it with others. Orwell was either writing the playbook for socialists in the future or trying to warn his own about their overreach into personal freedoms. This book is simple to read yet clearly portrays the essential ideals and thoughts.*Note, this story is not related to the story told in 1984.*

Animal Farm might help most anyone from any persuasion gain an insight into what ails us today. Might we all find hope and the courage to speak honestly, respectfully with honor and dignity towards all.

I read Animal Farm when I was a freshman in HS. I really didn't understand the concepts presented at that time. I decided to reread and the books concepts were relavant.

I wanted a new copy of this classic soI ordered it online. It came really fast in good condition on time.

Le livre correspond tout à fait mes attentes, très bon rapport qualité-prix, envoi rapide et soigné.

what a wonderful fable, in it's insights still topical today .. nicely illustrated with big letters, so I could leave my glasses on the table ..

O livro é excelente, a história é intrigante e muito bem escrita, com toda certeza estarei em breve lendo outras obras do mesmo autor. Também foi a minha primeira vez lendo um livro em inglês, sempre que me perguntam o nível eu respondo que desenrolo kkk, mas li o livro por completo e foi bem tranquilo, debatia com outros amigos meus que já tinham lido e fiquei bem feliz pois deu pra entender tudo perfeitamente, recomendo muito, o preço desta versão é baratíssimo em comparação com o livro traduzido, no precinho do corote.

Classic book the writer has great vision and should be part of the curriculum

The perfect combination of satire on the state of our society. How power, wealth, prosperity everything is divided unequally. How fear is used as a deterent to rebellion and how the fragile human memory is user as a tool to reprogram and re-iterate core concepts.Loved it.