Book Review - Animal Farm by George Orwell

Name : Animal Farm

Author : George Orwell 

Publishers : Aadarsh Books

First Published : 1945

Pages : 90

Genre : Satire,Fiction,Fable,Novella

Language: English 

Book Blurb 

A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. Thus the stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned –a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible. When Animal Farm was first published, Stalinist Russia was seen as its target. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the cutting clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell’s masterpiece have a meaning and message still ferociously fresh.

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. This classic satirical novella,in the disguise of a fable like setting , by the English Author George Orwell is one of the greatest classic of the 20th century. 

Theme

A farm by the name of Manor farm,after its owner human, is taken over by its overworked and mistreated animals. With the pigs, who are the most intelligent of the animals, the farm is set to be worked under newer ideals for the welfare of all animals. All the animals hope for a better time. But as a pigs take more and more power, the animals start to notice that their lives have not been better than the days of man, if not worse. Their work is increased and food decreased. The pigs become the ruling elite. Their motto of "Four feet good, two feet bad" intended for humans change to "Four feet good, Two feet better" when the pugs start walking and acting like human. And their rule of "All animals are equal" change to "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others ". 

The characters are superbly developed and by showing that there's even a pig that doesn't agree with the others ,the author clearly depicts that all people are not the same. And with the ending of the book, author makes it clear about how he thinks that the communist form of government will ultimately collapse. With Animal Farm, Orwell also shows how propaganda material can lead to brainwashing of the public. 

When the book was initially writing, it was to criticize satirically the Stalinist Russia (or USSR). But the message is clear even today. Personally, the story seems to be exactly of Nepal with all its Political revolution in last some decades. 

Writing

The writing is good and conveys both the fable and the underlying satire in a clear way. The story is faced moderately and is neither very fast nor very slow and gives a wonderful experience. But as the book was written about 75 years ago, the language is bound to be a little different. Some words related to animals and farming may be unknown to readers. But mostly the language is good. 

Dialogue 

The dialogue between the animals are brilliant and depicts clearly the level of intelligence of both the animals as well as the people of political orientation they represent. But most of the times, the silence of the characters convey meaning deeper than dialogue. 

My Rating 

Cover : 3.5

Theme : 4.5

Writing : 3.5

Overall : 3.5

Recommendations 

I would recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a light read with a moral as well as people looking to analyze it politically to understand political revolution and people's physiology. 

For Nepali Translation  of Animal Farm free. Click Here.