Reviews

Animal Farm Audiobook by George Orwell

wesleylebakken's review against another edition

1.0

sending hate from 2024

i understand that classics should be venerated and all that crap, but this book just big ole dookie to me. the pacing was so slow and it felt like there were only like four events and the rest of the book was just filler anti-propaganda poppycock. i can appreciate what the message of the book is, but i don’t feel like it’s that akin to the world today apart from the aspect of constant surveillance, and even that feels quite conspiracy-y.

and plus, every time i managed to get into the story, there was an unending soliloquy or explanation of the political landscape that was boring beyond belief and i started hating myself again. 

a little sad that i didn’t enjoy the book like i expected to, but maybe classics aren’t for me

itsaimee's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Extremely well written, really enjoyed reading it, both with the style of speech as well as the predictably unpredictable plotline.

mcbbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I never had to read this book in high school because I wasn’t a Brit Lit or AP Lang student.  So, with my love for books being reignited recently, I made it a New Year’s Resolution to read this.  I finally finished it tonight.  It is, to say the least, crazy how well this book has aged.  I have read very few books with paragraphs of narration this dense that are able to capture such a strong sense of dread and hopelessness.  These long, rich paragraphs also bring these complex characters to life who are trapped in this fascist regime, and the book continues to build to a stunning third act.  If you haven’t read it yet, read it as soon as you can.  You’ll see why it’s so important to read it.

dnandrews797's review against another edition

4.0

I think this book represents an excellent picture of state censure taken to the extreme when even a person’s thoughts can be monitored and the truth rewritten to suit the needs of the party. Obviously, it can be tied easily into modern politics since at the time it was written it was in response to modern politics, but I think the most poignant and important aspect of this book is the way it uses it’s story to point out some of the key elements of fascism. By having new generations read the story and study it in schools, we can hope that a big brother state can be prevented by the horror and hopelessness invoked in 1984’s society where war is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength.

vivacious_manda's review against another edition

fast-paced

5.0

dagnyh's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

rachejm's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

4.25

julieshuff's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.25

Started strong but I quickly lost interest at the book within a book and the tedium of trying to control his thoughts. I understand why this book has persevered over time but I wouldn’t necessarily call it enjoyable. 

dr_sol's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

ptait3's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

4.0