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 All Classic Books Are Good But Some Are More Good Than Others November 12, 2008
ANIMAL FARM is a very well written little satire that actually is quite hilarious in places. Scholars of the beginnings of the former USSR may enjoy dissecting the novel and figuring out who or what on the old "Manor Farm" Orwell meant to represent what reality in Russia. Happily, the rest of us can simply enjoy the cleverly drawn animal characters who exhibit many familiar human traits. This is a great book to teach that can spark many interesting discussions that touch on history, sociology, psychology and politics while showing students qualities of good literature. Many kids who think they won't like ANIMAL FARM end up being pleasantly surprised and not just because of the brevity of the text.
Some Books are More Equal than Others October 23, 2008
Animal Farm / 0-679-42039-8
Animal Farm is, in some ways, even more prophetic than the chilling 1984 by the same author. Though written in a whimsical fairy-tale fashion, Animal Farm carefully uncovers the slow, steady means by which a fascinating (and sometimes frightening!) ruling class can rip the rights away from the common workers.
All animals are equal, the ruling class gently assures the workers, but some animals are more equal than others. So if you could just work a little hard, a little longer, for a little less food every day, for a less comfy place to sleep on, it would really help the cause, the country. The good-natured workers nod their heads, shrug their shoulders, and press onward, but with minds clouded with doubt and pain. They are plagued with a sense of unfairness, a sense that - perhaps - the pigs that fail to contribute to the work or to the food supply, could potentially eat a little less, perhaps. Just to help the cause. But never fear! With the twin motivators of fear and awe, coupled with the numbing Lethe of little food, less rest, and no warmth, the sweet, deserving animals of Animal Farm will gladly give all their labor, life, and litters to the privileged.
After all, they may be exploited, but at least they are exploited by own of their OWN. And therein lies the absolute heart-rending tragedy of Animal Farm.
Animal Farm is instructive for our presidential election. September 29, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
2008 is the ideal time to apply the principles that we have learned from Animal Farm and apply them to November's 2008 Presidential election. Just as Napolean, the pig, instigated a rebellion against the owner of the farm (Jones) by talking about how great things will be once the animals ruled the farm, today we are told by the Obama Democrats that once Bush and the Republicans are thrown off the farm (Washington), that all will be well, that things will look wonderful, and that none of us will ever be hungry again. In Animal Farm, though, the animals were far worse off after Mr. Jones was kicked off the farm. Like Obama, Napolean also did not have any experience in running a farm, but this did not stop him from stating that he would be more competent and able to handle the farm. Further, once Napolean took charge of the farm, the interests of the other animals started to decline more and more. He started to remove any sense of democratic principles by eliminating the need for public comment and strongly took action against any potential dissent. This is exactly where the Obama Democrats want to take our country--first, by stating that they (and he alone) can manage the country -- even though there is no experience to suggest that he ought to, and secondly, by eliminating any form of dissent by destroying talk radio and also by heavily regulating and taxing the internet in order to suppress the one free and open medium that is available to counter their message. The lesson of Animal Farm is clear: those who claim to provide us with utopia on earth often will create hell instead through dictatorship, centralization of authority, and a desire to obtain power for power's sake. If we learn the lessons of Animal Farm, our nation will be far better off.
Subtle Message September 11, 2008
Wow- I was a little nervous to read this book, while at only 130 pages it is very unassuming...after reading 1984 in HS, I was dubious of enjoying anything of George Orwells. Perhaps I have grown up, or perhaps this is a much easier, and more interesting/intelligable read. Either way, I enjoyed Animal Farm!
Some parts I couldn't help but laugh at the subtle irony, other parts got me thinking on a deeper level but all through out the book I was curious where the story was going, how it would end and what "the point was". (I chose to read the Foreward, last, so as not to get any spoilers.)
I think this was a great subtle novel. I can see why it may be required reading in school, one of the reasons I enjoyed it was that it was an "easy", straight forward read! Gets you thinking...that's always a good thing!
 Animal Farm Review August 31, 2008
Once Upon A Time, there was a farm called the Manor Farm, and the animals on the farm are very mistreated. One day, the animals rise up against their human masters, and establish a near-utopian society. But promises of equality and plenty soon begin to be forgotten... until conditions are worse than they were under the humans.
A cautionary tale of the corrupting effects of power, George Orwell intended this to be a commentary on the depradations of the Soviet Union. A very facinating book.
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