I absolutely loved this book. It wasn't boring to me at all. I think Orwell did a great job of symbolizing all the injustice that happens in name of an outside force and how simple minded people who do not educate themselves get taken advantage from, be it West for Soviet Russia, America for Iran or Terrorists for the United states.

يمكن لنا أن نقول أن روايتي مزرعة الحيوان وأولاد حارتنا
هما أعظم روايتان رمزيتان مباشرتان كتبتا في القرن الفائت
فكلاهما لا يخفي من نفس المؤلف شيئا
وكلاهما يعبر عن مرارة تعتلج بنفس كاتبها
وكلاهما بليغ وفصيح وممتع

***

وأظن سر نجاح مزرعة الحيوان المدوي هو تعديها حدود الزمان والمكان
وأنها ومهما تعددت الأنظمة وتبدلت القوانين ومرت السنوات
تظل خالدة
لعنة أبدية تطارد المستبد في كل زمان ومكان
لعنة على الخنوع والجبن
لعنة تتردد على أفواه مستضعفي الأرض
الذين ما إن تواتيهم الفرصة
يمسكون بالكرباج ويستضعفون خلقا جديدا

***
أخبرهم كيف أن حياتهم قصيرة يظلون يكدحون فيها ثم فى النهاية يذبحون
ولا يوجد فى إنجلترا كلها حيوان حر
إنهم لا يتركون لنا إلا الفتات مع أننا نقوم بكل العمل...
***

What a book! It is kind of confusing to read a story about animals who speak and stuff. Many people say that you need to know about the Russian Revolution to be able to read this, but NOPE! This book is full of symbols, clues, methaphors. How can you notice them? Well, just read the story! Why did Orwell choose a pig as a main character, and not a... let's say, butterfly? Or a pigeon? Or a cute dog? Or a rat?
About the story, despite the characters are animals, they behave like humans, they even dress like humans. While you read it, it gets worse and worse not in sense of quality, of course, but in sense of sadness.
Recommended? Absolutely! The book is kind of heavy though, so you might not understand it at the very beginning, but once you get into it and you associate some history to the book, everything fits!

The man-to-pig metamorphosis is wellknown since Odysseus met Circe, but the opposite transformation works equally well. Probably more equally well than the other way round, considering the privileged equality of pigs.

One could almost get the notion that pigs and men are interchangeable, and somehow it is hard to know beforehand which species would be more (equally) offended by the comparison.

I reread Animal Farm today for professional reasons, and I was surprised how much I still appreciate it after several decades. In a way, I could argue that it gains truth each year in the same way 1984 moves into the realm of reality from a darkly funny dystopia. But then again, we all know that truth isn't truth, so I must be mistaken on that. If memory clashes with modified truth, it is memory that must be faulty.

Animal Farm is of course a satire describing a very specific era in history, the corruption of the communist revolution under Stalin. But that strikes me as less important than the fact that Orwell created archetypes of human behaviour that manage to transcend the original setting and cross the border of time and space to move into our contemporary pigly power play.

Who doesn't find an equivalent of a vindictive Napoleaon urinating on the brilliant plans of a rival, only to steal them afterwards?

Who doesn't recognise the type of narcissistic "leader" who offers himself all available honours while crying "Snowball" whenever something goes wrong?

Who doesn't know the herd of sheep who are barely capable of reproducing the most simple slogans, but still dominate each meeting with their loud and braindead bleating?

Who doesn't know the hardworking, honest horse who refuses to let disappointment break him down until his life is completely spent under the yoke?

Who doesn't know one of those cynical donkeys who see the world for the depraved place it has always been and will always stay?

We're all there, in the Animal Farm, and we share Muriel's confusion when she reads the commandments which seemingly prove that her memory is wrong. All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. Brutal truth in a world that has discovered the most powerful sword there is to guide humanity (aka piggity): the written word. If you control the word, you control the world. That is the true teaching of Animalism. Pigism and sheepism are just variations on the general theme.

The one thing that made me laugh out loud in sheer pleasure was the attempt to form a re-education committee for the wild creatures. You can't tame rats and rabbits! Why is that such a good thought? There won't be any rabbitism or ratism, just rabbits and rats doing what their wild nature leads them to do.

I'm with them, for sure!

I liked this one. I liked it a lot.

(the best part: a ‘pig’ banning alcohol because he thought it had killed him, when he was just hungover)

Animal Farm is the story of a set of animals who overthrow their human-owner. Will the animals have better lives now that the humans are gone?

Philip Pullman once said that, "A story will help us make sense of anything." In this case, George Orwell uses Animal Farm as an allegory of Russian history with certain characters representing famous figures who shaped Russian history such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Leon Trotsky.

This book was part of the monthly Readalongs that I am hosting, and what a wonderous book to begin 2022! The Readalong was simply spectacular and gave this reading such a particular depth. As the Readalong encompassed readers across the globe, we had the opportunity to discuss how the book related to our own government's history. Animal Farm provides a lot of ideas to noodle on, and I really enjoyed it.

This is one of the books on the 100 Books to Read According to the BBC List:
https://www.listchallenges.com/bbcs-t...

2025 Reading Schedule
JantA Town Like Alice
FebtBirdsong
MartCaptain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
AprtWar and Peace
MaytThe Woman in White
JuntAtonement
JultThe Shadow of the Wind
AugtJude the Obscure
SeptUlysses
OcttVanity Fair
NovtA Fine Balance
DectGerminal

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Animal Farm is a dystopian tale of revolution and the ensuing government that takes over afterwards. It could easily be a symbolism of most revolutions that occur in history. A new leader comes in and it’s the same as the old leader. Rinse. Repeat.

(Note to self):
Must. Not. Get. Too. Political. With. This. Review.

I absolutely loved this book and the tale of this animal farm should concern anyone that believes in a free-thinking society. All it takes is a revolution, distrust in facts, listening to false propaganda of any new administration and not questioning the slow changes that occur that gives government total control over personal freedoms and liberties.

Animal Farm is a simple tale but it’s well written and holds many timeless truths. It’s a story of power and the absolute power that can corrupt any type of democratic society.

George Orwell was a flippin' genius to write this tale.
Just read it. It terrified me and it should terrify you as well.

This took me waaay too long to read.. it's like 90 pages and it took me 3 days??

It was really interesting nonetheless.
Definitely a good book to start if you're trying to read more classics since the writing style is pretty simple.

Equality.

In the old Manor Farm, each animal puts their small effort to carry the farm forward; but when one day Mr. Jones farmer continuous abuse and neglect becomes unbearable, all the animals hold a special meeting to set a change. A revolutionary idea is born: Animals will govern themselves. Together they will bring a new age, where all animals are equal. But self-sufficiency and self-government carries heavy burdens, with small and big responsibilities for each animal; and soon small frictions begin to arise in the new haven.

Another all time-classic by the legendary Orwell. No half stars deducted this time. This was a flawless 5-star masterpiece, if not six; because achieving SO much in SO few pages, is beyond reckoning. A timeless allegorical novella so powerful that it’s certain to give you pause, and most likely remember it for the rest of your life. So crucial for the time it was written, and still more than relevant today, and for the future yet to come.

I remember being so wowed at the time I read this, my messed up country bearing so much resemblance to the events depicted in this book. It’s similarity still strong today, and not likely to change anytime soon. It’s a sad truth that some third world countries never managed to grow beyond their petty differences and troubled beginnings.

I SO wanted to know more regarding the future of the farm; but I understand why and how it ended the way it did. Such an unforgettable thought provoking story, with lovable and hateful characters  (Snowball, Napoleon) , and so heartbreaking.  the pain in my soul for Boxer still raw and unhealed.  A must read in life. Extremely Recommendable.

*** Animal Farm (1954) is the best adaptation I’ve seen so far, kinda old school by today standards but still an excellent cartoonish representation. Acceptable atmosphere, adequate pacing, and more than reasonably faithful to the book, if not completely. Yet, for some reason I couldn’t nearly enjoy it as much as the book, but can’t exactly pinpoint why; maybe the surprise was lost. A good film, just not great, for me.

*** Animal Farm (1999) is a somewhat controversial adaptation. Acceptable as a whole but far less faithful to the book, especially regarding the ending. A stellar voice casting including stars like Stewart, Louis-Dreyfus and Grammer, among others. The anthropomorphic representation with live animals giving it a certain unique touch the animated film didn’t have.

I think either of the two films is worth watching, the first one for its grim fidelity and the second one for its more upbeat tone. Still, if I had to choose the 1954 version overall seemed better to me, and more memorable.



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n  PERSONAL NOTEn:
[1945] [128p] [Classics] [Extremely Recommendable] [“All animals are equal.”] ["Four legs good, two legs bad."]
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★★★★★ Animal Farm
★★★★☆ 1984

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Igualdad.

En la vieja Granja Manor, cada animal pone su pequeño esfuerzo para que la granja salga adelante; pero cuando un día los continuos abusos y descuidos del Sr. Jones se vuelven insoportables, todos los animales arman una reunión especial para crear un cambio. Nace una idea revolucionaria: Los Animales se gobernarán a sí mismos. Juntos darán inicio a una nueva era, donde todos los animales sean iguales. Pero la autosuficiencia y el autogobierno plantea difíciles tareas, con pequeñas y grandes responsabilidades para cada animal; y pronto algunas fisuras empiezan a aparecer en el nuevo reino.

Otro clásico de todos los tiempos por el legendario Orwell. Ninguna media estrella deducida esta vez. Esta fue una impecable obra maestra de 5-estrellas, sino de seis; porque alcanzar TANTO en TAN pocas páginas, es más allá de inimaginable. Una atemporal novela corta alegórica tan poderosa que es certero que te va a producir un quiebre, y más que seguro para recordar por el resto de tu vida. Tan crucial para la época en que fue escrita, y todavía más que relevante para los tiempos actuales, y el futuro todavía por llegar.

Recuerdo haberme maravillado tanto el día que leí esto, mi tan desgraciado país teniendo tremendo parecido con los eventos reflejados en este libro. Su similitud todavía patente el día de hoy, y difícilmente sujeto a cambiar pronto. Es una triste verdad que algunos países del tercer mundo nunca lograron crecer más allá de sus mezquinas diferencias y problemáticos comienzos.

Realmente deseaba TANTO conocer más acerca del futuro de la granja; pero entiendo por qué y cómo terminó como lo hizo. Una historia tan inolvidable y provocadora, con entrañables y odiosos personajes  (Bola de Nieve, Napoleón) , y tan devastadora.  el dolor de mi alma por Boxer todavía fresco y sin curar.  Una obligación de leer en la vida. Extremadamente Recomendable.

*** Rebelión en la Granja (1954) es la mejor adaptación que vi hasta ahora, un poco antigua para los estándares de hoy pero aun así una excelente representación animada. Atmósfera aceptable, ritmo adecuado, y más que razonablemente fiel al libro, sino completamente. Aun así, por alguna razón no lo pude disfrutar ni de cerca tanto como el libro, pero no podría precisar exactamente por qué; tal vez se perdió la sorpresa. Un buen filme, sólo que no genial, para mí.

*** Rebelión en la Granja (1999) es una algo controversial adaptación. Aceptable en su conjunto, pero mucho menos fiel al libro, especialmente con respecto al final. Un electo estelar de voces incluyendo estrellas como Stewart, Louis-Dreyfus y Grammer, entre otros. La representación antropomórfica con animales reales dándole un cierto toque único que película animada no tiene.

Creo vale la pena ver cualquiera de los dos filmes, el primero por su sombría fidelidad y el segundo por tu tono más alegre. Aunque si tuviera que elegir, creo que la versión de 1954 dentro de todo me pareció mejor, y más memorable.



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n  NOTA PERSONALn:
[1945] [128p] [Clásicos] [Extremadamente Recomendable] [“Todos los animales son iguales.”] ["Cuatro patas bien, dos patas mal."]
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another kind of never ending story

n  "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others."n

What a great book. I can't believe I haven't read it before.

Written at a time when the evils of communism hadn't been fully exposed and some still thought it could work in practice, Animal Farm was sure to be an eye opener.

The setting is a "normal" farm--controlled and managed by humans. But one day the animals have had enough of being oppressed and abused as human slaves. They rise up and take over the farm. Their goal is for all animals to be equal--to work for the good of the farm and for the sake of their community. Communism in action, in theory. But what will happen in practice?

I can see why this book has become a classic. It demonstrates that all ideas based around a communist model are doomed to failure from the outset. Humans are basically selfish due to sin--they cannot motivate themselves to work for the good of the masses. There will always be dictators who will rise up and seek to control the workers. Who will make the rules if everyone is equal and how will they be enforced? What happens to those who depart from the agreed standards?

I wasn't expecting a short read like this to cover so many aspects of life. Previously accepted historic facts are airbrushed out of existence, and the animals in time become convinced that they have imagined things. It reminded me of those who seek to deny the Holocaust or even the death and resurrection of Jesus--both historically proven but now widely doubted or ignored.

The animals are kept superficially satisfied by being inundated with statistics, facts and figures. These tell them why they are better off than they used to be and how things are improving all of the time. Of course, this is not how the animals actually feel--they are hungry and miserable. But, the facts don't lie, right? Ceremonies and certificates galore compensate for the meaninglessness of the animals futile daily activity. I witnessed this exact phenomenon whilst serving in the police--statistics can be manipulated to say exactly what the powers that be want them to say. A community feels that their neighbourhood is becoming more dangerous and that crime is on the rise. But, have you ever heard a politician or a police chief say that? Of course not, crime is always falling, unemployment is going down and the cities are safer than ever......

From a Christian perspective there is much to be learned also from Animal Farm. We know that communism will fail because of human nature towards selfish behaviour. Those who believe that the early believers in Acts were practicing a form of communism are forgetting that the text tells us that they voluntarily shared their possessions with each other. There was no force involved. Even then there were leaders who instructed the people and organised them. That is the way society has become since the original fall of man--there will be some rich and some poor. The Christian life is about what we do with the resources, talents and abilities we have been given by God, we can use them to bless others. Assuming that a common level of limited wealth would lead to satisfaction is a gross error because it removes our innate desire for innovation and to carry out a hard day of work and reap the benefits. To be able to share with others out of our abundance or even in our poverty.

It amazes me that despite the numerous (and tragic) failures of communist countries worldwide there are still so many people that think it can work. They point to an insignificant aspect of each dictatorship as the reason for the demise ignoring the obvious--communism will never work no matter the circumstances or favourable conditions because it is not part of God's plan for mankind which has been clearly laid out in the Bible.

I recommend this book to all readers.

n  “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”n

An allegorical parody of Stalinism, Animal Farm is considered to be one of Orwell's more popular works. Heavily inspired by Orwell's experiences during the Spanish Civil War, the novel is about a number of farm animals who revolt against their drunken and irresponsible owners and caretakers, driving them out of the farm and taking care of affairs themselves. The story is based on an ideology called Animalism, a tongue-in-cheek reference to Communism, where among the Seven Commandments the most important states that "All animals are equal".

Eventually, we find this replaced by: n  "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."n


n  
n  n  
n  n    The Horn and Hoof Flag described in the book appears to be based on the hammer and sickle, the Communist symbol.n  n  
n
Background

During the Spanish Civil War, the Republican government was supported by a number of factions with conflicting aims, including the Workers' Party of Marxist Unification (POUM – Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista), the anarcho-syndicalist Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) and the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia (a wing of the Spanish Communist Party, which was backed by Soviet arms and aid). The ILP was linked to the POUM so Orwell joined the POUM.

Unfortunately, Communist propaganda during the war led to the Republicans coming to believe that the POUM were corroborating with the fascists, leading to a purge, as POUM members were persecuted, arrested and tried for treason. The Orwells were forced into hiding and, on returning to England, found that a deposition was presented to the Tribunal for Espionage & High Treason, Valencia, charging them with "rabid Trotskyism", and being agents of the POUM.

The trial of the leaders of the POUM and of Orwell (in his absence) took place in Barcelona in October and November 1938. Observing events from French Morocco, Orwell wrote that they were "only a by-product of the Russian Trotskyist trials and from the start every kind of lie, including flagrant absurdities, has been circulated in the Communist press."

In the preface of a 1947 Ukrainian edition of Animal Farm, he explained how escaping the communist purges in Spain taught him "how easily totalitarian propaganda can control the opinion of enlightened people in democratic countries". This motivated Orwell to expose and strongly condemn what he saw as the Stalinist corruption of the original socialist ideals.