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marinasslibrary's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It is pretty clear from the beginning, due to the time this book was written and the storyline, that this book is a single metaphor thematisizing WW2, especially the russian side (communism, UDSSR). However I did really enjoy reading it and symphazising with some of the animals on the farm.
Of course you can never compare a classic like this to modern literature and I never will. I think classics should always be viewed and reviewed in context of the time they were written in.
And for the 1940s George Orwell did really create a lovely book adressing and discussing some struggles and problems faced during the time of WW2. Through which the readers are fronted with current problems in a beautiffuly written and tragic story about a small farm rebelling against the rest of the world.
Of course you can never compare a classic like this to modern literature and I never will. I think classics should always be viewed and reviewed in context of the time they were written in.
And for the 1940s George Orwell did really create a lovely book adressing and discussing some struggles and problems faced during the time of WW2. Through which the readers are fronted with current problems in a beautiffuly written and tragic story about a small farm rebelling against the rest of the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War
alessiareads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved how this book perfectly described a whole history lesson with some pigs and horses. It’s really freakin’ genius.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Suicide, and Alcohol
1ouvre's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death
Minor: Suicide
kashby's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Fatphobia, and Cannibalism
amsswim's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Glad I reread this. Was good in high school, and has remained very good. George Orwell hits the spot
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Grief, and Classism
theslowreadernumber5's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and War
samdalefox's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It will come as no surprise to people that I'm a fan of Orwell's work. He uses clear and simple language and imagery to paint an accessible political picture Totalitarianism. Despite being written at the end of WWII and is clearly a scathing mockery of Stalin's USSR, I believe the 'Animal Farm' fable is increasingly relevant today.
The story describes why Totalitarianism/Authoritarism occurs (those selfishly seeking power and those unable or unwilling to stop this power) and how it occurs (violence, gaslighting, exploitation, scapegoating). The story highlights that Totalitarianism power is morally the same irespective of original economic ideology (Communist vs Capitalist), and in my opinion gently endorses Socialism and Community through The Major, the first year of the farm, and the 'Beasts of England' song. Different Totalitarian states have different justifications for their rule, but Animal Farm suggests that all totalitarian regimes are fundamentally the same: those in power care only about maintaining their power by any means necessary, and they do so by oppressing the individual and the lower classes. Orwell therefore very clearly highlights the importance of an educated and critically thinking lower classes. Another StoryGraph user 'humlejenta' has a longer review that covers these points in greater depth.
The famous ending"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.” neatly summarises the horror and is still relevant to this day. All of us are under some sort of economic oppressing class. Britian in particular is currently sleepwaking towards Authoritarianism and has deeply embedded capitalist class divisions. I am reminded of two quotes which summarises the spirit of Animal Farm: "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others" - Nelson Mandela. And, "The oppressed, instead of striving for liberation, tend themselves to become oppressors.” - Paulo Freire. Becoming the new oppressing class is not freedom. Being oppressed by a different ideological regime is not freedom.
I recommend this book to everyone. Recognise the danger signs and act quickly. Embrace socialism and your community. Ask questions, educate yourself, and think critically of those in power.
The story describes why Totalitarianism/Authoritarism occurs (those selfishly seeking power and those unable or unwilling to stop this power) and how it occurs (violence, gaslighting, exploitation, scapegoating). The story highlights that Totalitarianism power is morally the same irespective of original economic ideology (Communist vs Capitalist), and in my opinion gently endorses Socialism and Community through The Major, the first year of the farm, and the 'Beasts of England' song. Different Totalitarian states have different justifications for their rule, but Animal Farm suggests that all totalitarian regimes are fundamentally the same: those in power care only about maintaining their power by any means necessary, and they do so by oppressing the individual and the lower classes. Orwell therefore very clearly highlights the importance of an educated and critically thinking lower classes. Another StoryGraph user 'humlejenta' has a longer review that covers these points in greater depth.
The famous ending
I recommend this book to everyone. Recognise the danger signs and act quickly. Embrace socialism and your community. Ask questions, educate yourself, and think critically of those in power.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death and Death
haylethal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Classism
solouncapitulomas's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever.”
yeah, right
boxer deserved better!
yeah, right
boxer deserved better!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Slavery, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Suicide, and Alcohol
emmathebookworm's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, and Gun violence