Animal Farm, George Orwell
Returning to the booklist, I just finished George Orwell's Animal Farm, published in 1945. I was really doubtful, because I'm a cynic like that. I mean, yes, it's classified as great, must read, world-changing, mind-blowing literature, but it's named like a story for two year olds. I was expecting gory/stupid/Idon'tevenknow. Well, don't judge a book by it's cover - or it's title. When people tell you something is awesome literature, listen to them.
The parallels between contextual issues and the main themes of the novel are really, blindingly clear. I mean, I saw them without knowing they were there before reading. I'm not sure whether it's despite or because of that fact that the book is so gripping.
The animals were better characters than most authors can hope to create, each distinctly memorable in some way, each unique on their own, or as a distinct group. The classes of animals were distinguished brilliantly from each other, and the characterization felt natural and normal - quite a feat, given the fact that talking animals overthrow a farm.
The writing style was simplistic and clear, however, any stylistic childishness was overcome by the mature content of the story. There is enough subtext, motive and second-guessing to keep an adult reader interested and on their toes. It's not a long book, and I finished it in about an hour and a half, because I honestly didn't want to put it down - I just wanted to see it unfold. Whether this is because of the story itself or the mirror it holds up to social and governmental risks in our own lives, I don't know.
Regardless, I give it a ten out of ten, and wish I'd read it sooner.
Let me know what you think.
xKath
Next up: The Picture of Dorian Grey, Oscar Wilde.
Returning to the booklist, I just finished George Orwell's Animal Farm, published in 1945. I was really doubtful, because I'm a cynic like that. I mean, yes, it's classified as great, must read, world-changing, mind-blowing literature, but it's named like a story for two year olds. I was expecting gory/stupid/Idon'tevenknow. Well, don't judge a book by it's cover - or it's title. When people tell you something is awesome literature, listen to them.
The parallels between contextual issues and the main themes of the novel are really, blindingly clear. I mean, I saw them without knowing they were there before reading. I'm not sure whether it's despite or because of that fact that the book is so gripping.
The animals were better characters than most authors can hope to create, each distinctly memorable in some way, each unique on their own, or as a distinct group. The classes of animals were distinguished brilliantly from each other, and the characterization felt natural and normal - quite a feat, given the fact that talking animals overthrow a farm.
The writing style was simplistic and clear, however, any stylistic childishness was overcome by the mature content of the story. There is enough subtext, motive and second-guessing to keep an adult reader interested and on their toes. It's not a long book, and I finished it in about an hour and a half, because I honestly didn't want to put it down - I just wanted to see it unfold. Whether this is because of the story itself or the mirror it holds up to social and governmental risks in our own lives, I don't know.
Regardless, I give it a ten out of ten, and wish I'd read it sooner.
Let me know what you think.
xKath
Next up: The Picture of Dorian Grey, Oscar Wilde.
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