Animal Farm is an allegorical novella by George Orwell.
The book tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy. Ultimately, however, the rebellion is betrayed, and the farm ends up in a state as bad as it was before, under the dictatorship of a pig named Napoleon.
One night, all the animals at Mr. Jones' Manor Farm assemble in a barn to hear old Major, a pig, describe a dream he had about a world where all animals live free from the tyranny of their human masters. Old Major dies soon after the meeting, but the animals — inspired by his philosophy of Animalism — plot a rebellion against Jones.
Two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, prove themselves important figures and planners of this dangerous enterprise. When Jones forgets to feed the animals, the revolution occurs, and Jones and his men are chased off the farm. Manor Farm is renamed Animal Farm, and the Seven Commandments of Animalism are painted on the barn wall...
"Meet the new boss, Same as the old boss." The Who; "Won't Get Fooled Again"; 1971.
I read this in 2006, 2014, 2021, and 2024, and I enjoy it more each time. Orwell's short classic is excellent; I rank it just behind his masterpiece, NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR. ANIMAL FARM is so well constructed that it manages to keep my interest after multiple re-reads. I could open the book tomorrow, and I would find myself enthralled in the activity that ensues on "Manor Farm". I look forward to reading this short classic again soon.
"ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS" (112)