“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
This is one of those books which I wanted to read since a very long time but always put it on for another day in hopes to read it at a pace when I can fully comprehend and take time to absorb the learnings.
Today was that day.
Animal Farm is a political satire by George Orwell published in 1945, representing events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union. It’s so well written that the story still holds true and is relevant today.
It’s set in a farmyard where the animals decides to start a revolution to overthrow human control, seize the land and start a co operative to reap the rewards of their labour. At first, I thought this is about how selfishly humans mistreat animals forgetting that they have a life of their own. How animals looks at this injustice to them and a lesson for humans to do better.
But, this book is so much more than that.
It’s about power and how it corrupts people.
As animals gain control, some animals gain more power than the others. They give orders while the others toil. Rules are modified to suit their needs and absolute power corrupts and turn them into the monsters they intended to overthrow in the first place – making the animals questions if this is what they were striving for and whether their new found freedom is really free?
Animal farm is one of the best books I have ever read which merges politics and social issues so beautifully, which warns us about the mistakes we made in history and still continues to do today. It’s a well deserved classic!
If you haven’t read it still, I would urge you to give it a read and if you have read it already, tell me – how did you find it? What did you feel after reading it?
At the end of the book, I was just like – those bad, bad pigs!
Also read: The Steel Flea Book Review
Be the first one to be notified of any new post, subscribe to my blog! Please?
Comments
I studied Animal Farm at school and at college we performed an adaptation for stage as well. It’s one of those texts that still stays with me today, such a powerfully written book, and (sadly) still so relevant now. Glad you enjoyed (if that’s the right word) it too 🙂 Lisa x
Author
I’m quite (happily) surprised to know that this book is being taught in schools and colleges at so many places. I wish, I would have read it sooner. It’s sadly still relevant today and I’m not sure if we still have learned our lessons.
I strongly believe Animal Farm should be taught in schools, never has it been more relevant!
Ashleigh | http://www.ashmosphere.com
Author
I’m quite surprised to know that this is indeed being taught in many schools and colleges, that’s good to hear xx
This is a great post! I somehow never had to read this book in school, though several of my classmates did. I’ll be reading it soon! Thank you for an excellent summary and review.
Author
So glad you liked it xx
I was so happy to find your review! Most book bloggers are doing recent releases only! Great review btw! It’s also one of my favorite modern classics!
I also have a review of that if you want to check out : http://itsareadlief.com/book-review/satire/animal-farm
Author
Just checked out your perspective of the book and I loved it, thank you so much xx
We read this one in school. It’s interesting to me that the warning I took away from this powerful read didn’t stick with many of my classmates. The fate of the animals on this farm is a devastating one, I hope that we won’t continue to repeat their mistakes here in the human world! Great review! Thank you!
Author
I’m glad you liked the post and the book, thank you xx
I agree that this is such a powerful book that warns us of the mistakes we already made, it’s upto us to learn from them.
Definitely! I just wish I was the type of human that had optimism in our growth curve. One can always hope!
I’ve never read Animal Farm, but I’ve meant to. I studied 1984 in school, and I’m aware of the plot of Animal Farm – Orwell wrote so well about the subtleties of authoritarian states, and how power can evolve in unexpected ways. He was a very wise man! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book.
Author
Orwell has been way ahead of his times and it’s amazing to see how his writings are still relevant even after all these years.
It was required reading for me back in high school. A long time ago.
I have been wanting to read it again, since I am more inclined to pay attention.
I did just recently pick up a copy of George Orwell’s 1984. Which was good as well. Have you read that?
Politics and societal issues in that as well.
Some things very relatable to the events today.
Author
1984 is probably next in my reading list, I kind of know the plot and am excited to read more into it xx
Animal Farm was part of my reading list at school! I really enjoyed reading it!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Author
Glad you did Amie xx
Loved this book.
Author
Thanks for stopping by xx
This book was often taught in Ireland but my year we took Lord of the Flies. I really love both books despite being disturbed by them. They stayed with me all my life.
Author
Some books truly stays with you all life, this is definitely one of them.
You must log in to post a comment.