Animal Farm Book

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by: George Orwell, C. M. Woodhouse, Russell Baker

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Customer Reviews
Average Rating: Rating: - A fascinating little political fable Some have said George Orwell's strength lies in his stories and ideas, not his writing. Granted, he's no genius with words and style, but I like his smooth and succinct way of writing. This in addition with the relative shortness of Animal Farm makes it a fairly quick read. You get a great satirical look at the beautiful idea that was transformed into a perversion of itself in Russia/the USSR in the beginning of the 20th century. It's even cute at first, so cute you might even consider reading it to your kids. Although the smallest might find the rest a little too scary, this might serve as a serious thoughtprovoker if combined with intelligent parents. Just don't do it without reading it yourself first. It helps if you know something about the Russian revolution and the situation there. Actually the similarities began bothering me at one time, but I think the book gives a great viewing point to the USSR and what it COULD have been about. But remember: don't leave your brains in the wrong pair of pants while reading the book. Rating: - terrific satire Animal Farm is kind of confusing because of its allegorical-historical nature. It's hard to keep track of the animals and who they really represent, you'd probably have to go back and check who's who (Napoleon = Stalin, Snowball = Trotsky). Also, you have to know a chunk of Russian Communism to get in touch with this. But in essence, this story is brilliant. Orwell is brilliant. He has encapsulated Communism into this dark but hilarious satire. Animal Farm will make you laugh, cry in outrage, and most of all horrify you with Napoleon's blatant hypocrisy (but of course the animals don't notice, ahem). Squealer the pig also topped my list as outrageous. He's like the spokesperson who reports new rules and is the great Napoleon defender (squeal!). The sheep are absolutely funny, who have nothing to bleat but "Four legs good, two legs bad!" until they are trained to follow a new chant: "Four legs good, two legs better!" Makes you think of the masses - they believe anything they are told. Watch out for the wickedly terrific ending. This book is such a riot. It's a hoot. And it was horrifyingly real. Rating: - Three quick points 1) "Animal Farm" is not a children's book. Yes, it is thin, and it is about animals. If there are any dim-witted lit teachers out there still assigning this book to their 12-year olds, please stop. They tend to write silly things about it on this site. ("It's boring. Talking animals are stupid.") Have them read Harry Potter instead, or better yet, teach them correct spelling and grammar. 2) "Animal Farm" will not make sense to people who don't have a good understanding of the Russian Revolution and the Soviet Union, since this provides the crucial context for understanding the book's metaphorical meaning. (See point 1). Try reading Richard Pipes on the revolution, and Robert Conquest on the Stalinist terror. 3) Note to unreconstructed Stalinists: you will not like "Animal Farm." We knew this already. So save your precious typing fingers from ergonomic disorder, and spare us the "Orwell was in the British secret service" and your anti-historical bull about the Popular Front and whatnot. The Soviets saved the world from Nazism? Two words: Ribbentrop-Molotov. Put a sock in it and go read Eric Hobsbawm or something.

Animal Farm Book

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