Reviews tagging 'Animal cruelty'

Animal Farm by George Orwell

260 reviews

jonsnowsmanbun's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism, Animal death, Slavery, Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, and Gaslighting

qu1ncy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Classism, Slavery, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Grief and Gun violence

Minor: Alcoholism

john_pascoe's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Torture, Animal death, and Slavery

literallysam's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Animal Farm is a political allegory for the Russian Revolution, in which many of the animals (human-like characters) represent the key historical figures of the time. Though it can still be read & enjoyed if you don't get any of the allusions to Lenin, Marx, Trotsky or Stalin. But there's no doubt that the message behind this book is an important one.

In terms of Orwell's writing and the plot, it is basic. An easy read if you are 10-14 y/o. There are many quotes that I liked (slide to read). I loved the words of the proud anthem “Beasts of England". I admired Boxer’s noble sense of dedication & self-sacrifice.
However, there are some problems as well..
•The constant theme throughout the book and especially the ending suggests that Revolution is useless, that things will remain how they've always been, neither getting better nor worse. Reliving tragedy and atrocities of an evil government is just one part of the equation, making our own revolution should be the other. So, the ending could've been better.
Similarly, there's this character in the book, Benjamin who is intelligent but still doesn't "exercise his faculty" and when other animals ask for his help, he refuses to "meddle in such matters".(Real bourgeoisie behaviour)
•The book also critiques the working class more than Stalin. Orwell writes like an aristocrat- calling the animals , illiterate, stupid & forgetful throughout the book.
•Another con is that the book is too political in nature. It's like Orwell has laid down a fable in respect of only his own opinions, not allowing the readers to form their own judgements. A book shouldn't be so heavy handed in its political message and should leave room for readers to make their own opinions.
•Also the allegorical aspect of the book is another issue as it only presents one possible interpretation of reality. This leads to misunderstanding of the complexities of real-world political events.

Overall, Animal Farm serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving too much power to one person or group, and the importance of staying vigilant and questioning authority.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Alcoholism, War, and Violence

brekker_by_brekker's review against another edition

dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Slavery, Violence, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Gaslighting

ashsparrow's review against another edition

challenging reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, Slavery, and Murder

astrono9's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death

lorraine19's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Like all of Orwell's books, it's dark and tense. Definitely not the book to read if you're looking for a feels good. It's definitely a classic for a reason and an easier read than 1984. Short and face paced but gets right to the point and is easy to understand. It will definitely leave you frustrated and feeling sad/angry as is the point. Might have to make sure you are in the right mindset when reading it but it is definitely one everyone should read at least once. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Violence, Animal death, Classism, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Slavery, Bullying, Gore, Alcohol, and Toxic friendship

Although it is in allegory, the violence and death in this book can be graphic - especially if you're sensitive to animal death

kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Classism, Animal death, Murder, Animal cruelty, and Slavery

Minor: Death

jemmaisntcool's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Animal cruelty, Racism, Blood, Slavery, War, Animal death, Xenophobia, and Violence