This is proof that short books can tell great stories.  It was interesting to read a classic dystopian satire.  It is amazing how closely the events and story of Animal farm mirrored that of the rise of Stalin and communist Russia. I would have enjoyed the book more if we got more of the thoughts from the other animal (not Neapolitan).  I also would have enjoyed finding out what ended up happening to Snowball. Its a book that you can read easily in one day. 

This is one of the books I consider a must-read. It is slow, but slow for a reason. 

Representation: N/A
Score: Nine points out of ten.
I own this book.

So I finally read Animal Farm. When I found it at a library, I initially didn't want to read it, so I put it off for a while, but I could now order a copy for myself. So I did. Soon enough, Animal Farm arrives and I immediately had to pick it up and read it. When I finished it, it was one of my favourite novels. Who knew one of the last novels I read in 2023 was outstanding? 

It starts with the first characters I see (the author introduced to me them all at once) like Old Major who, in the opening pages, convinces the other animals to revolt against the farmers who oppressed them for so long. His efforts were successful as the animals rioted at Manor Farm, expunge the owners and rename it to Animal Farm (hence the title.) Once they did, Snowball took over and established a new ideology: Animalism (which sounds like Communism.) Here's where Animal Farm shines: All the characters are allegories for historical figures and some events reflect the ones that happened in real life. It's such a brilliant fictional work, not to mention Animal Farm is a satire that works despite its lack of humour (because everything is an exaggeration.) Toward the latter half, Napoleon quietly takes over Animal Farm from Snowball by spreading propaganda and subtly changing the rules until they are a far cry from what they originally were. The ending was shocking as one dictatorship of farmers replaced another (an elite group of pigs ruling over other animals.) How chilling.