Review: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Animal Farm is a satirical classic that focuses on the rise and fall of Communism. I enjoyed reading the book as both a
History and English student, as Orwell successfully combines both in a horrifying tale of treachery and intellect. The story follows a group of farm animals, led by Napoleon the pig, as they form their own ‘civilisation’ on their farm after driving all the humans away from it.

The story takes a dark turn when the pigs begin their crusade to consolidate their power and the other animals make the daunting realisation that “some animals are more equal than others.” Orwell uses his story as a powerful and striking allegory for the harsh reality behind Communism. However, throughout the book powerful insights are made about the truth behind various forms of political power, including capitalism, and imperialism. One aspect I liked about the book was the accessible language. Orwell is able to break these very complex ideas down into simple English so that a wide audience can understand the points he is trying to make.

I genuinely enjoyed this book and I think it’s a must-read for those who enjoy history and politics, or who want an introduction into Orwell’s writings. This book isn’t for the faint-hearted or animal lovers, as there are some brutal scenes in the book that can be hard to swallow, but I would highly recommend it otherwise.

Shauna Dalton, teen reviewer