Reviews with content warning for Classism - Animal Farm

I picked this up for a read along. It was an impulse start at 2am. Read about half then went to bed and finished it just now (3pm). I liked it, but I probably won't read it again. I probably won't think about it much outside of if friends bring it up. I enjoyed 1984 by the same author, but didn't like this one as much. It really was just USSR history told satirical through farm animals. The animals had no real personalities, but were just caricatures of different mindsets and groups in the USSR. I think that was the point, but it wasn't my style.

I will say that though it's based on USSR history, I think parts of it could be relatable to modern places. I live in the US and I saw many similarities around patriotism, nationalism, "farm pride," and history turning to myth. Lots of gaslighting between the Pigs and other animals

Read it if it sounds good to you, but it's definitely not a must read for me

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riverofhorton's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was an incredibly thought-provoking book from start to finish and something that I can see myself revisiting in the future.

I went into this knowing it was an allegory for Stalin's Russia, but knowing little about the USSR, I didn't know how that would present. I found it most interesting that we see a lot of Napoleon's early tactics in the politics of today, especially right-wing groups, I also find this parallel to be deeply unsettling in nature, and and wonder how long it will be before we are like the other farm animals of this book, if our real-world politics continue down the path they are on.

On a more personal note, I saw a lot of my past self within the character of Boxer, as well as a lot of people no longer in my life in Napoleon's character. It was slightly disconcerting as such an animal lover myself to draw these comparisons, but it did remind me of how far I've come in the past few years.

To end on a lighter note, I enjoyed reading about the dynamic between Boxer and Benjamin, and find myself wondering if the intention was to portray a queer love between the two male characters, or if that was just my brain. I did also find the characterisation of the cat to be perfect throughout.

Content Warnings