Animal Farm by George Orwell

Why read the book?

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a sharp satirical novella where farm animals rebel against their human farmer, Mr. Jones, to create a society based on equality. Led by pigs Napoleon and Snowball, they adopt the Seven Commandments of Animalism, but as the pigs seize power, they twist the rules, turning the farm into a dictatorship.

This story critiques the Russian Revolution and Stalinism, showing how revolutions can betray their ideals. Through simple animal characters, Orwell warns about the dangers of unchecked power and propaganda. It’s a quick, powerful read that exposes political corruption.

Favourite quote

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

What I Loved

Animal Farm excels in its concise yet devastating satire, using the farm setting to mirror real-world tyranny with chilling precision. Characters like the idealistic Old Major, who inspires the rebellion, or the hardworking Boxer, whose loyalty is exploited, bring emotional depth to the political message.

Orwell’s clear prose makes the gradual corruption, from equality to “more equal” pigs—easy to follow and hard to forget. The book’s humor darkens into horror as slogans like “Four legs good, two legs bad” evolve into tools of oppression. Its timeless relevance to any power grab makes it essential reading.

Key Takeaway

Power corrupts ideals; vigilance protects freedom from betrayal.