Orwell's classic is an excellent exercise in metaphors, analogies and creativity. While the book maybe a very short read for true literature fan, it brings a whole lot to the table by giving you the freedom to figure many things out by youself. It's a genuine masterpiece that hooked me from the very beginning to the end.

I have read this both in English and in Finnish, and both times it was an extremely easy and nice to read as well as an enjoyable in the sense that you really feel like yo... (show more)

Orwell's classic is an excellent exercise in metaphors, analogies and creativity. While the book maybe a very short read for true literature fan, it brings a whole lot to the table by giving you the freedom to figure many things out by youself. It's a genuine masterpiece that hooked me from the very beginning to the end.

I have read this both in English and in Finnish, and both times it was an extremely easy and nice to read as well as an enjoyable in the sense that you really feel like you're reading something great like 1984 or BNW. This is a real must-read classic for anyone. (show less)

Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely-and this is vividly and eloquently proved in Orwell's short novel. "Animal Farm" is a simple fable of great symbolic value, and as Orwell himself explained: "it is the history of a revolution that went wrong". The novel can be seen as the historical analysis of the causes of the failure of communism, or as a mere fairy-tale; in any case it tells a good story that aims to prove that human nature and diversity prevent pe... (show more)

Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely-and this is vividly and eloquently proved in Orwell's short novel. "Animal Farm" is a simple fable of great symbolic value, and as Orwell himself explained: "it is the history of a revolution that went wrong". The novel can be seen as the historical analysis of the causes of the failure of communism, or as a mere fairy-tale; in any case it tells a good story that aims to prove that human nature and diversity prevent people from being equal and happy ,or at least equally happy.

"Animal Farm" tells the simple and tragic story of what happens when the oppressed farm animals rebel, drive out Mr. Jones, the farmer, and attempt to rule the farm themselves, on an equal basis. What the animals seem to have aimed at was a utopian sort of communism, where each would work according to his capacity, respecting the needs of others. The venture failed, and "Animal Farm" ended up being a dictatorship of pigs, who were the brightest, and most idle of the animals.

Orwell's mastery lies in his presentation of the horrors of totalitarian regimes, and his analysis of communism put to practice, through satire and simple story-telling. The structure of the novel is skillfully organized, and the careful reader may, for example, detect the causes of the unworkability of communism even from the first chapter. This is deduced from Orwell's description of the various animals as they enter the barn and take their seats to listen to the revolutionary preaching of Old Major, father of communism in Animal Farm. Each animal has different features and attitude; the pigs, for example, "settled down in the straw immediately in front of the platform", which is a hint on their future role, whereas Clover, the affectionate horse" made a sort of wall" with her foreleg to protect some ducklings.

So, it appears that the revolution was doomed from the beginning, even though it began in idealistic optimism as expressed by the motto" no animal must ever tyrannize over his own kind. Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers. "When the animals drive out Mr. Jones, they create their "Seven Commandments" which ensure equality and prosperity for all the animals. The pigs ,however, being the natural leaders, managed to reverse the commandments, and through terror and propaganda establish the rule of an elite of pigs, under the leadership of Napoleon, the most revered and sinister pig.

"Animal Farm" successfully presents how the mechanism of propaganda and brainwashing works in totalitarian regimes, by showing how the pigs could make the other animals believe practically anything. Responsible for the propaganda was Squealer, a pig that "could turn black into white". Squealer managed to change the rule from "all animals are equal" to" all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others". He managed to convince the other animals that it was for their sake that the pigs ate most of the apples and drank most of the milk, that leadership was "heavy responsibility" and therefore the animals should be thankful to Napoleon, that what they saw may have been something they "dreamed", and when everything else failed he would use the threat of " Jones returning" to silence the animals. In this simple but effective way, Orwell presents the tragedy and confusion of thought control to the extent that one seems better off simply believing that" Napoleon is always right".

Orwell's criticism of the role of the Church is also very effective. In Animal Farm, the Church is represented by Moses, a tame raven, who talks of "Sugarcandy Mountain", a happy country in the sky "where we poor animals shall rest forever from our labors". It is interesting to observe that when Old Major was first preaching revolutionary communism, Moses was sleeping in the barn, which satirizes the Church being caught asleep by communism. It is also important to note that the pig-dictators allowed and indirectly encouraged Moses; it seems that it suited the pigs to have the animals dreaming of a better life after death so that they wouldn't attempt to have a better life while still alive...

In "Animal Farm", Orwell describes how power turned the pigs from simple "comrades" to ruthless dictators who managed to walk on two legs, and carry whips. The story maybe seen as an analysis of the Soviet regime, or as a warning against political power games of an absolute nature and totalitarianism in general. For this reason, the story ends with a hair-raising warning to all humankind:" The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again: but already it was impossible to say which was which". (show less)

Excellent book, very well written. As the animals of animal farm fight off the oppressive regimen of farmer Jones, so dawns a new era of self government. The animals of animal farm rejoice in their new found freedom. Unfortunately just like people certain animals - like the pigs - are attracted to power, with dire consequences for the animals of animal farm. Eventually under the rule of the pigs, things become a lot more oppressive, the animals work harder than ever before, not realisin... (show more)

Excellent book, very well written. As the animals of animal farm fight off the oppressive regimen of farmer Jones, so dawns a new era of self government. The animals of animal farm rejoice in their new found freedom. Unfortunately just like people certain animals - like the pigs - are attracted to power, with dire consequences for the animals of animal farm. Eventually under the rule of the pigs, things become a lot more oppressive, the animals work harder than ever before, not realising that they have lost what little freedom they had under farmer Jones. A timeless classic. (show less)

An adult's fairy tale, here is the book that was published just towards the end of World War II when Soviet sympathies were high. And though it obviously is a declaration against Communism - with the two leader pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, obviously being Stalin and Trotsky - the fable is a story of almost every government, or at least governments that start off with idealism and gradually, through greed and money, devolve into tyranny. The story is simple: farm animals, who can talk and act ... (show more)

An adult's fairy tale, here is the book that was published just towards the end of World War II when Soviet sympathies were high. And though it obviously is a declaration against Communism - with the two leader pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, obviously being Stalin and Trotsky - the fable is a story of almost every government, or at least governments that start off with idealism and gradually, through greed and money, devolve into tyranny. The story is simple: farm animals, who can talk and act as humans though most with dimmer wits, take over their farm from their horrible owner. Two pigs take over as leaders. And so the stage is set. At first the story is funny, with a few political prods taking place, as well as the fact that the characters are all ANIMALS, and yet they behave - rather stupidly I might add, and accurately - as humans have done all through history. But very quickly the story takes on a seriously darker, adult-oriented slant. (show less)

Man...why didn't they let me read this one in high school? I would have so loved to take this one and dissect it, I would have jumped at the chance to write essays on how this was meant as an allegory to Stalin's Russia. What I loved the most about this book was that it was so simple, so flowing and it didn't waste time on piddly little details. It didn't muddle the facts. It is one of very few classic and poltical books that I could not put down. And it didn't hold back, you know it was elud... (show more)

Man...why didn't they let me read this one in high school? I would have so loved to take this one and dissect it, I would have jumped at the chance to write essays on how this was meant as an allegory to Stalin's Russia. What I loved the most about this book was that it was so simple, so flowing and it didn't waste time on piddly little details. It didn't muddle the facts. It is one of very few classic and poltical books that I could not put down. And it didn't hold back, you know it was eluding to a corrput goverment and it dosn't have to be just Communisum. It started with a simple, and strong dream, with basic rights that all just fell to pieces as time passes and ultimatly everything surrendered to the greed and indiffence of the leaders. I love that becuse Communisum started as a dream much like the one Major put forth, of a socity exsisting in freedom and taking only what is needed, of sharing the workload. But pepole or in this case animals just don't work like that. There is greed, there is corruption and lust for power. This allegorical story can apply to any system of people trying to work together. It's wonderfully poigiant! I think the best and most heartbreaking moment in the book was when Boxer met his harsh fate after so much he gave to Animal Farm. In the end he was just a sacrfice for unending greed. (show less)

Back in high school I came across this title in my fourth period English class of my senior year. That year we read "1984", "Lord of the Flies" and "Animal Farm." When I first read "Animal Farm" the first thought that ran in my mind was "Wow!!! Not only do I fear machine taking over the world but now I have to fear farm animals." But then as I read more of the of the boom I began to see what Orwell was really talking about.

In "Animal Fa... (show more)

Back in high school I came across this title in my fourth period English class of my senior year. That year we read "1984", "Lord of the Flies" and "Animal Farm." When I first read "Animal Farm" the first thought that ran in my mind was "Wow!!! Not only do I fear machine taking over the world but now I have to fear farm animals." But then as I read more of the of the boom I began to see what Orwell was really talking about.

In "Animal Farm," George Orwell writes about (well what else!) an animal farm where the animals want their own freedom from their farmer/owner. What soon happens is the animals start an uprising an drives the farmer out thus beginning a new order on the farm as run by the pigs. What was first started out as democratic republic for the farm animals turns into a dictatorship. What was once a haven freedom of human slave drivers reverts back to what it once was with different face as the leader.

The book shows how a possible utopia (whether be it for humans or animals) can be torn down through ignorance and greed. Like Orwell's other infamous title, "Animal Farm" is a commentary on our society and what could possibly in our near futures if we are not careful. But unlike "1984," "Animal Farm" is a little more easy to read and less intimidating by the content of the book. It is a must read for everyone who loves literature or needs a book to write a report on. (show less)

Arrogant elitism, class conflict, and revisionist history. Duplicitous, hypocritical, fraudulent, corrupt, and greedy leadership. Suppression and control of the working and middle class. Secretive changes in policy and government without going through the proper channels. Enemies lists. Taking away the voice of the people, and replacing it with a paternalistic totalitarianism that “knows better” because they are more intelligent and enlightened. Suppression of political opposition with a... (show more)

Arrogant elitism, class conflict, and revisionist history. Duplicitous, hypocritical, fraudulent, corrupt, and greedy leadership. Suppression and control of the working and middle class. Secretive changes in policy and government without going through the proper channels. Enemies lists. Taking away the voice of the people, and replacing it with a paternalistic totalitarianism that “knows better” because they are more intelligent and enlightened. Suppression of political opposition with any means necessary. Loss of the freedom of speech or expression. Central media control. Gullibility of decent people following an idea or leadership blindly. Leaders accepting undeserved or unearned awards or medals. “Academics” furthering an agenda to “organize” and “direct” the “unintelligent masses,” removal of religion or God from the public platform. The general population not knowing what their own system of government is, how it works, and how it is organized. Population control, food rationing while leaders live comfortably, forced confessions to crimes not committed, unwarranted incarceration and death.

No, I’m not describing politics as they currently stand. This is George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.”

This book was written in response to the romanticizing of the Russian Revolution, and the government set up by the Soviets. Orwell was actually a staunch socialist, even though at the end of the book, you might think he is not.

Orwell wrote this book as a warning to Western socialists about the “Soviet myth” and as an exposé on the tyranny and totalitarianism that was occurring in the U.S.S.R., and that can exist in today’s world when as he states, “a hierarchical society, in which the rulers have no more reason to give up their power than any other ruling class.”

He also states that his experiences in Spain being hunted down by communists, “taught me how easily a totalitarian propaganda can control the opinion of enlightened people in democratic countries.”

I first read this book in High School English class, and really didn’t understand its implications. However, during the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, this book came to mind, and I read it again. During the election I was appalled to see how people would project their agenda and beliefs onto a candidate that really did nothing but say, “me too,” and make rousing universal speeches. Unfortunately there are a lot of similarities to the events of the last twenty-two months.

I urge readers everywhere to read George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” carefully. Develop independent and individuals ideas about their own morality, and the beliefs and standards they would like to hold their leaders to.

If a complacent and unintelligent public does not do this, and exercise their rights to voice an opinion, they may find in the future that they have lost this ability. The characters in this book did not lose their freedoms all at once. It was a gradual process. We need to hold our leaders accountable so that our system of government remains, “a government of the people, by the people, for the people….” (Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address) (show less)