Book Review: Must Reads For Youth

Animal Farm by George Orwell (Ages 12+):

Animal Farm is one of the most famous political fables: this allegorical and satirical novella tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their cruel human farmer, hoping to create a society where all animals can be equal, free and happy.

This 130-page work was written in 1945 by George Orwell, and symbolises the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, where Animalism is actually Communism, and the farmer Mr Jones is the Russian Tsar. Many animals on the farm represent different people that were a part of the Bolshevik Revolution.

Though the farm animals introduce Animalism (“a complete system of thought” developed to illustrate animal rights) for a fairer farm, things take a turn after the pigs have a disagreement and a hierarchy of animals is established.

Animal Farm follows a simple structure: there are ten chapters which can be divided into the three sections of the Dream, the Rebellion, and Napoleon's Regime. Each of the ten chapters tells its own story, and thus has its own “ending”, helping the reader to understand its teachings and message more clearly.

Politically, Animal Farm is important because it teaches young people that their opinion matters when making decisions. It is easy for voters to become politically complacent — Animal Farm is a reminder that sitting back and hoping for the best is how the future will be decided for you.

My favourite part of this novella was the ending, as the circular structure of everything ending in the same way in which it started was sobering, clearly illustrating the irony of the Bolshevik Revolution. This novella is unpredictable and engaging — I would recommend it to anyone interested in political works, or simply anyone looking for an entertaining novella.