Another excellent book that I am glad I revisited. I read this while in El Salvador in 2023. As a work of literature, the book provides an excellent character study into the hierarchies and struggle for power that emerge in societies (particularly newly forming or revolutionary societies). As a piece of history, this book provides an amazing mirror on the rise to power of Stalin and totalitarianism in the Soviet Union - though, given the contemporaneous publication I would be surprised if Orwell was that keenly aware of what was going on in the USSR. Overall, this provides an excellent lens through which to study capitalism, revolution, communism, and the way power corrupts and decays the messages so often relied upon by leaders. After rereading Animal Farm, one can only be sickened by the "promise" of politicians in the creation of a better future. ( )

Having not read this book during my school years, I figured it was about time to read it and see what all the fuss was about. However, I was greatly disappointed in the book. I fail to understand why it is talked about so highly and considered a classic that everyone must read. Fortunately, the book is very short, only about 90 pages and can be read rather quickly.

I am certain most everyone knows the gist of the story. A group of farm animals rebel against the farmer and attempt to create their own society where everyone is equal, happy, and free. Of course, all does not go well, and in the end, the society created is more like life was before the rebellion. The more things change, the more they stay the same, right?

Orwell claims he wrote the book as a commentary on socialism and communism, but I found the parallels to religion more obvious. The animals held a meeting every Sunday. A raven named Moses claimed there was a rest and a better life to await after death. The story has a traitor named Snowball (Judas Iscariot), and a charismatic leader in Napoleon (Jesus Christ). The animals were intent on building a windmill and since it was destroyed twice, it had to be rebuilt (Tower of Babel). There were 7 commandments written on the side of a barn (Ten Commandments), which were constantly being revised and rewritten.

Overall, the book was boring and a drudgery to read. I’m not for sure why so many people feel it is a great book. ( )

Animal Farm was extremely symbolic, and overall a good book to read. It featured a lot of propaganda, with many twists and turns. Interesting novel. I read it for school in 6th grade. ( )

Wow! Amazing and frightening at the same time. ( )

Another one I remember reading some years ago, without now recalling its details. I know what its lesson was now, from all the places it has been referenced, but don't think I got the point when I first read it. ( )