Reviews

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Only show reviews with written explanations

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" - Well, that pretty much sums it all up in one sentence, doesn't it?

I was apparently one of the few I know that never read this book in high school or college, and also never studied the Russian Revolution. However, based on what I've read about it, Orwell managed to tick everyone off with his version of it, played out through the various animal characters. This book is a teacher/professor's dream of a book to discuss in class.

The characters are so rich, so highly developed - you either want to stretch through the book and protect them to no end, or just do away with them for being such jerks! Orwell so eloquently chooses just the right animals to match their "human" counterparts. I found myself cheering for Boxer (equated on some sites as "the working peasant population") and really hating pigs in general.

Fantastically and wonderfully surprised - I'm looking forward to reading more Orwell as a result.

mumay's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.75

dnandrews797's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
This quote is one of my favourites all time and this book itself was one of my first introductions to how facism and bigotry can transform the democratic ideals that a government begins with. I’ve carried this book and all the warning signs here with me over the years and pursued it even into my studies in college with international relations and history. This is truly one of those once in a lifetime parables that perfectly illustrates an important and essential message in a way even children can understand. I still love this book.