Animal Farm: A Fairy Story – George Orwell
Penguin Classics, 2000 (first published in 1946)
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Animal Farm is one of those books that whenever people brought it up, I wish I would have read it. And I would wonder why I hadn’t: It is a small book that is supposed to be a fast and funny read. And then for years, I quickly forgot about it again. That is why it was never on my official TBR list that I keep in my head (and in some notebooks that are everywhere and nowhere).
There is something intimidating about George Orwell to me, another reason why I have only read this book this year. When I finally read it, I knew I had been mistaken. This really is a fast-paced read, a funny read, and a meaningful read all at once. As a history student, and as a religious studies student, you have to study communism a little, the theory and the practise, and it was surprising how much of my studies I recognised in this book. Every few pages I made a note on what I wanted to remember, what stood out to me, what I recognised. And that made the book all the funnier to me, actually. I went into reading this book fearing it to be too much of a cautionary tale, that would condemn communism in such a way that it would bore me, but I came out laughing and thinking and not feeling I had been preached to at all. Maybe it is because as modern readers, we are not often confronted with communism? Sure, I live in a welfare state and I vote on the left side of the political spectrum, but communists, for me, are hidden on the far end of my province in the Netherlands and often frowned upon, if not laughed at, by almost everyone. I do think this book might have been more powerful at its time, or maybe even until 1989? Not as funny, maybe. And I am curious how Americans would read this book, coming from a different tradition, a more staunchly anti-communist one.
I do not think I need to tell you what the premise of the story is, I will however tell you that if you have not read this book yet, I think you should!
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Psst.. I read this book a few months ago, and it was a borrowed copy at that. I did not write down any quotes I wanted to include in this review, but opted to keep reading instead. Eventually, I will learn to write my reviews in time, right after reading the book, and not wait for many months. Which should mean more detail, more analysis and longer posts. But I like a short post every once in a while..
This has always been a favorite of mine. I do like Orwell even if he has a little bit of a drastic, downward facing view of revolutions. :O)
How did I ever make it through school without reading this? One of these days…
I think Orwell was wonderfully cheeky in the way he portrays communism in this. It doesn’t feel like he’s preaching, but then you finish the book and think, “Oh, much of that really happened in a similar way.” Well done him.
What do you mean, a short post!?
Doesn’t look that short to me, but then I’m always fascinated by how much people can write.
Glad you got around to reading this book, I really enjoyed it as well. And I think you’ve definitely got a point, it’s a completely different experience reading it after the cold war, and also reading it in countries with different relations to communism.
I just read Animal Farm this year too. I liked it, but I found it less funny and more chilling. Maybe that’s because I’m American? I don’t know! While I enjoyed the book and definitely think it’s worth reading, I saw it as a warning rather than as entertainment.
I’ve never read Animal Farm, but it’s on my list for my upcoming classics project! I’m really happy to hear that you liked it and found it accessible. Hooray!
I have read this and remember really enjoying it, but it was so long ago that I don’t remember why. It’s one I wouldn’t mind picking them up again.
Orwell is one of my favourite writers. I remember reading this for school and discussing it with my father (who is a Marxist) and feeling very grownup. Of course this can be read on so many levels but I still remember the shock and horror I felt at the end of the book.
I read Animal Farm my freshman year of high school. It required reading for most high schools here. I didn’t care for it too much, but I sometimes wonder if I didn’t quite understand it. If I read it now I might enjoy it more.
I also did this at school decades ago! I should go back to it again. So many books to get back to now. By the way there was a question as to whether bloggers prefer short reviews or long reviews? Wonder what you think . I also dont this review is a short one!
This is actually my least favourite Orwell! So now that you’ve discovered him, you have so many treats ahead of you.
His essays are also incredible…in fact, I think I prefer him writing nonfiction to fiction. Also, Finding George Orwell in Burma is a really fascinating book that ties in with him.
Short posts are definitely good every now and again. Glad to see that you enjoyed this book. I read it at a young age and don’t remember a whole lot about it, though I do remember enjoying it!
This was mandatory reading for me during school, and I have to say I completely enjoyed it. It’s a very accessible, and easy to read book. I loved it!
I haven’t read this Iris and you know what? In all these years I never knew that Animal Farm had any humor to it!! I learned something new today
I have read 1984 by Orwell though and it’s such a fantastic book.
I read this in high school and then went back and reread it a couple years ago. For me, it’s the only Orwell I’ve read that doesn’t have an awkward cop-out sort of ending! I did enjoy it a lot and glad you did too.
I enjoyed this, I do think it is funny. Something I should reread every once in a while. I also enjoyed 1984 for the most part but haven’t read any other Orwell.