Animal Farm

George Orwell

Genre

Recommended By

Book Reviews

One of Sahil Lavingia's most recommended books.

Book Synopsis

"Animal Farm" by George Orwell is a timeless allegorical novella that explores the corruption of power through the lens of a seemingly harmless farmyard rebellion. Set on Manor Farm, the animals are tired of their mistreatment and exploitation by the human farmer, Mr. Jones. Led by the intelligent pigs, specifically Old Major and his successors Napoleon and Snowball, they overthrow their human oppressors and establish their own self-governing society.

Initially, the animals embrace the principles of Animalism, a set of commandments that promote equality and a fair distribution of resources. However, as time passes, the pigs gradually consolidate their power, eroding the egalitarian principles upon which the rebellion was founded. They rewrite the commandments to justify their increasing privileges and manipulate the other animals with propaganda and fear tactics.

The once unified and harmonious animal society is soon divided, with the pigs forming an elite ruling class. Napoleon, the devious and power-hungry pig, emerges as the self-proclaimed leader, eliminating any opposition to his rule. The hardworking and loyal horse Boxer becomes indoctrinated into blindly supporting the pigs, and his eventual tragic fate serves as a harrowing reminder of the harsh realities of totalitarianism.

As the pigs align themselves with humans, betraying their fellow animals, the original commandments are revised to a single maxim that exemplifies the pigs' hypocrisy: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." The once-revolutionary animal rebellion, now mirroring the tyranny it sought to escape, becomes indistinguishable from the human-dominated society it replaced.

"Animal Farm" serves as a cautionary tale, providing a stark and insightful critique of political corruption, abuse of power, and the dangers of blind obedience. With its timeless themes and memorable characters, Orwell's masterpiece continues to resonate with readers, highlighting the potential consequences of unchecked authority and the illusory nature of utopian ideals.

Explore More Books

See All
The Fourth Part of the World
High
Justice on Trial
The Third Wave
Stress Test
Iacocca
Lincoln at Gettysburg
Consider Phlebas
Out of the Crisis
Twelve Against The Gods
The Bias That Divides Us
Linchpin
Judgment in Managerial Decision Making
Triggered
Anna Karenina
Atlas Shrugged
A Short Guide to a Happy Life
Modern Aramaic (Assyrinan/Syriac) Dictionary
The Book of Five Rings
Poor Numbers
The Undercover Economist
Vagabonding
Gridiron Genius
Execution
Folk Devils and Moral Panics
The Amber Spyglass
A Short History of Financial Euphoria
The Nature of the Beast
Shadow Divers
Stranger In A Strange Land
Destined For War
The Art of  Scientific Investigation
Mastering The Market Cycle
Artificial Intelligence
The Legend of Henry Ford
The Painted Bird
Restoring Our Republic
Lessons for the Living
The World Without Us
Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World
The Fourth Turning
The Sum of Us
Kochland
Sit Like a Buddha
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Awakening Joy
The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership
The Tycoons
Malabar Farm
The Watchman's Rattle
Global Crisis
Smart People Should Build Things
The Purple Cow
Indistractable
Civilized to Death
The Art of Spirited Away
Building the Intentional University
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
A Story Lately Told
The Power of Full Engagement
Immortality
The Great Convergence
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert
Tales of the Unexpected
SuperFreakonomics
Friday Black
Undaunted Courage
House of Morgan
1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die
Watchmen
Powering the Future
The Long Tail
Molecular Biology of the Cell
The Story of the Human Body
A Gentleman in Moscow
Race Against The Machine
A Curious Mind
Soon I Will Be Invincible
The Two-Parent Privelege
A Pattern Language
Home Economics
In Over Our Heads
The Upside of Inequality
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Edison
Tribe of Mentors
The World We Have Lost
Sailing Alone Around The World
The Culture Code
The Water Dancer
Rational Expectations
David Bowie
Devil's Harbor
The Conquest of Gaul
Farsighted
No Two Alike
The Back of the Napkin
The Hate U Give
The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí