Short but mighty: Animal Farm

Animal Farm is a classic, often included in school curriculums. But I must admit I’d never read it until now. I have read Orwell’s 1984, which I think less prophetic than Huxley’s Brave New World. However, I did know the general outlines of this book, given its prevalence in the culture. I tried to approach it with as fresh eyes as possible, and I must say it’s short by mighty.

Plot summary for Animal Farm

A stinging indictment on Russian Communism, Animal Farm follows the story of a group of animals who overthrow their human owners. They begin their new animal-run world in a spirit of equality and utopian dreams. Very quickly, the pigs start to encroach on the liberty of the other animals. Soon, the pigs are the new overlords. There is grave hardship, ignorance, fear and coercion on Animal Farm. The ending echoes eerily the experiences of writers such as Solzhenitsyn.

What I liked: short, simple and powerful prose

Orwell wanted Animal Farm to be simple and easily understood. He absolutely nailed his brief. It reads like a fairytale and hits like a gutpunch. I find it fascinating that sometimes the most telling critiques of a particular movement come from discerning supporters of the same movement. While George Orwell was certainly of the left, his strong opposition to the totalitarian regime in Russia is amongst the best I have ever read.

It’s a sad little book, but it achieves its aims. I can imagine the rumpus it would have caused when it was published during the cold war!

The 20 in 2022 challenge is finished!

I’ve made it. This was the last of my 20 new books in 2022 list. I’m both proud and surprised that I’ve managed to finish them all by the end of July. I feel a little lost now, with my list all checked off. I shall have to find some new titles to read. Perhaps I’ll revisit some of my favourites from the past seven months.

I’m open to recommendations, if any of you readers out there have any suggestions. I’ve heard A Gentleman in Moscow is good, and that the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy is a challenge. Let me know what you’d recommend!