Rating: Summary: A Superb Venture by Orwell! Review: At the time of Animal Farm's, and 1984's first publish, certain European powers were on the rise. George Orwell seems to have been the only one ready enough and intelligent one to take on Hitler and Stalin. While others hid in their cupboards in fear of an air raid. Orwell spent longs hours at his desk putting on the finishing touches to his masterpieces. Even if Hitler had taken over the world (thank God he didn't), Orwell would have been there making the brainwashed realize the evil and wrong doing behind the Nazi beliefs. In my personal opinion, Orwell affected World War II as much as Eisenhower and Churchill did. Only he made people, years later, remember just how important freedom, life, liberty, and a caring government really are.
Rating: Summary: An Excellent Read, A book that certainly deserves credit. Review: DISCLAIMER: If you're looking for some brilliant analysis of Animal Farm compared to the real world, you're not going to find it here, I'm just trying to give my opinion, so enjoy!I decided around two days ago that I was going to triple my reading speed and I bought a book called Triple Your Reading Speed. First, you must determine your reading speed (or words read per minute), and then you begin exercise to improve peripheral vision, speed, and comprehension. Of course this fascinated me, but I never expected it too work. It did! I only doubled my reading speed, but that's certainly enough for me! Anyway, after you have completed the course, you have book-length assignments- famous books that are short but require some comprehension and understanding of the material to finish it- or at least understand it. The first book I was required to read was: Animal Farm. I was curious about it because a lot of people said it was good and it's on a lot of great books of the 20th century lists. So, I said what the heck, I'll read it. I gulped in down in about 3 hours, and I loved it! Funny, cute little story but an excellent message. I don't know much about Communism, but I was still able to enjoy this book. The name of the book basically describes the story... a bunch of animals take over a farm and run it. It's original, and even little children might like to read it just for the fun little characters and the idea of animals talking. I mean, Disney puts out hundreds of movies just like this (without the underlying messages and the satire, of course) and kids love 'em! Why not get your 4th or 5th grade child to read this? It's a funny little story. I must say, that there is basically one paragraph that makes the entire book worthwhile, and I'll quote it for you: "Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which." Ending this review, I think that is probably the greatest paragraph of 20th century literature I have ever read (I haven't read much though...) Read it! A.A.
Rating: Summary: 5 Stars Without A Doubt Review: I was looking through the reviews of this excellent book and one of the reviews basically consisted of (and indeed, I believe this was the title): "Animals can't talk-duh". Fool! This book has nothing to do with animals, nothing at all. IT IS ABOUT US. And that is very scary, my friend. And what is the scariest part about it all? IT'S TRUE. And in case you still needed any proof of the fact, you need only look at this example of our inherent immaturity when reviewing this great work of literature.
Rating: Summary: una parodia de nuestro mundo Review: todos los animales son iguales, pero hay animales mas iguales que otros. este libro es una parodia sobre nuestra sociedad y sobre las bases hipocritas en las que esta fundada, no puede hablarse de igualdad entre nosotros, cuando una parte de la humanidad ignora la otra, cuando en verdad no somos iguales, es solo un sueno de alguien para calmarnos las ansias. por eso existen libros como este, tambien es bueno recalcar los comienzos de la historia, todo empieza en aparentes condiciones de igualdad entre los animales, hasta que los mas aguzados ven que pueden sacar partido de la situacion y empiezan a distorsionar las reglas del juego en beneficio propio. este libro es un despertador de consciencias dormidas, ojala se leyera mas por aqui. LUIS MENDEZ luismendez@codetel.net.do
Rating: Summary: Superb Review: Obviously a classic. Excellent to read with or without proir knowledge of the Soviet Union, although the more you know, the greater you understanding of the authour's original message. I read the book previously, but bought a copy just to have around.
Rating: Summary: Five Stars Squared! Review: If there was anything remotely resembling sanity in our eductaional system, this little gem would be required reading. A recent novel by Jerry Furland, "Transfer-the end of the beginning" should also be in the required reading syllabus. Both give the reader a view of the dark side of human nature and our appetite for control and for power. Orwell is much like David Horowitz in that he came to regret his own support for totalitarian systems during the Spanish Civil War. True to form, he was largely excommunicated from his peers when he broke faith with his socialist and communist colleagues.
Rating: Summary: The Chain is long and has emerged from history Review: Shakespeare wrote. Tolstoy criticized Shakespeare. Orwell criticized Tolstoy. Now it is my responsibility to continue the English-Russian-English-Russian pattern and criticize George Orwell. Although it has earned a reputation of one of our (20eth) century's most accomplished novels, I felt that the "Animal Farm" is a consistently overrated work. George Orwell's often cynical tone made me want to defend my own worst enemy - communism. Not only did he exaggerate and misinterprit historical events, which surrounded the Russian Revolution, Orwell forced me to believe that he was indeed unfamiliar with the system, which was ultimately the world's savior from fascism, a regime far more fearful. A series of mocking allegories and failed personification is, in my view, nothing more, than political propaganda of Orwell's era.
Rating: Summary: Awesome Review: The story if animals taking over a farm and learning how to read and write might sound a little strange. But that is just the beginning this book actually tells what happended after the soviet union revolutuion and the characters are potraied by animals. That makes book even more interresting and itelligent. Also importantly this book is a exellent read and doesn't get booring after a while. Caution: Some readers may find this book hard to put down.
Rating: Summary: Good book; but only if you understand history Review: There is a misunderstanding among some...this book does not symbolize communism. It symbolizes the Russian Revolution. Communism does not call for totalitarianism, but it calls for the absence of the state. The title of this review should tell you that you should learn about Russian history before reading this book. A few reviewers critisize this book because there are talking animals in it. They obviously don't know what the book is supposed to symbolize. Aside from the Russian Revolution, this book symbolizes the dangers of totalitariansim in general. Some totalitarianism exists today...not only in "communist" states but in the US as well, even if it is to a very minute degree. George Orwell, by using animals to represent humans and a farm to represent society, teaches us all a lesson...a lesson of what can happen when people give up their common sense for the sake of social well-being. It shows how easily people can be influenced and how weak humans really are. Learn about totalitarianism and Russia, and then read this book...I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: Animal Fairy Tale Review: I really loved reading this book. I read it in two days, and barely stopped. "Then why" I bet your asking "Dont you give it a 5?" Well It wasn't realistic. It stretched the truth a lot more than I was hoping. Animals, talking to people? But if you want a fun little fling, this is the book. But George Orwell's writing was pretty good. That's just my opinion, I could be wrong. Jesse A.K.A PageMaste8
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