George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, was a British author and journalist best known for his sharp takes on politics, power, and society. You’ve probably heard of 1984, but Animal Farm is another of his most famous works, first published in 1945. On the surface, it’s a short fable about animals on a farm, but underneath, it’s a brilliant political allegory, mainly about the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalin. Don’t let that scare you off, though, it’s surprisingly readable and still feels relevant today.
The story takes place on Manor Farm, where the animals, fed up with their human owner, Mr. Jones, rebel and take over. Led by the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, they aim to create an equal and fair society. But as time passes, the pigs become more powerful, the rules keep changing (usually in the pigs’ favor), and the other animals work harder for less reward. Eventually, the pigs are just as bad as the humans, or maybe even worse. By the end, the hopeful revolution has crumbled into a grim, oppressive regime.
👀 First Impressions
Going into Animal Farm, I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy it, I half-expected it to feel stuffy or overly political. But I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly it pulled me in. The writing is sharp without being complicated, and the fable-like style makes it easy to follow. Even though I knew the general idea behind the story, I found myself eager to see how things would unfold. It’s one of those books that’s both an easy read and a thought-provoking one.
✅ What I Liked
I loved how Orwell takes a big political idea and makes it easy to understand through a simple, almost fairy-tale-like story. The slow creep of corruption is so well done, you can feel things shifting bit by bit until suddenly, the farm looks nothing like the dream the animals started with. Characters like Boxer the horse really tug at your heart, and the final lines gave me chills. Plus, the themes about power, control, and manipulation still hit hard today.
❎ What I Like
Honestly, there’s not much to complain about, but I will say that the story can feel a bit bleak and heavy-handed at times. Since it’s an allegory, the characters are more like symbols, so some moments don’t hit as emotionally as they could. And while it’s a short read, the dark turn the story takes might leave you feeling a little deflated by the end, it’s not exactly a “feel-good” book.
💭 Final Thoughts
Animal Farm is one of those classics that’s totally worth the hype. It’s short, punchy, and leaves a real impact. Whether you’re reading it as political commentary or just as a dark little fable, it’s a book that sticks with you. Definitely recommended if you’re in the mood for something thought-provoking but super readable.
🛍️ Where to buy
to purchase your own copy of Animal Farm, head to penuins website HERE for links
Final Rating ★★★★★
A timeless political allegory that’s deceptively simple, brilliantly written, and chillingly relevant no matter when you read it.
Minnie's Fiction Addiction 