Why it's essential
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is an iconic piece of political allegory delivered in an extremely digestible package. Heavy themes like class warfare, workers’ rights, and unfair governing systems are explored through the eyes of a group of farm animals. This lighthearted setting, combined with such important topics, makes Animal Farm an exceptionally powerful teaching tool to this day.
What is Animal Farm about?
Animal Farm places the reader among a group of anthropomorphic livestock on a farm. After overthrowing their human owner, the animals struggle to develop a new system of governance. Eventually, a pig named Napoleon takes over, and things begin to spiral out of control.
Editor's review
Seth Hartman is an Audible editor and a certified podcasting fanatic. He lives for historical fiction, music and film analysis podcasts, and well-placed Oxford commas.
Like many American public school goers, I was introduced to Animal Farm at the ripe old age of 13. While I was, by all accounts, a novice when it came to world history, it didn’t take me long to realize that there was something special about this book. While the setting of a farm was certainly familiar territory to me, this was no nursery rhyme.
With other books to his name—most notably, 1984—George Orwell made no bones about his political opinions. Using adorable farm animals, this scathing allegory depicts an interpretation of the Bolshevik uprising and ensuing Russian Revolution. While revolution can bring hope, Orwell shows the darker implications of political upheaval and the reality of changing regimes. Ultimately, this book is about a futile quest for equality amidst political turmoil.
It is really difficult not to feel optimistic when a group of subservient creatures manages to take out the tyrannical farmer. However, Orwell illustrates that it takes more than revolution to establish a fair system of governance. The power vacuum that is created in the farmer’s absence can be felt by all of the animals, and it doesn’t take long for someone to step up. In a not-so-subtle piece of parallel imagery, the pigs are the animals that manage to seize control of the farm after the uprising takes place. While they seem to rule with a more pro-animal outlook than the farmer did, it doesn’t take long for the true colors of their leader, Napoleon, to show.
Above all else, Animal Farm is a cautionary tale. George Orwell seems to be of the opinion that no governing body is capable of providing true equality to its subjects. Unfortunately, there haven’t been too many real-life governments that have pulled this off. While this book is specifically satirizing Soviet communism, many of the issues presented within these pages still apply to this day. Now that I am a few years older with more historical knowledge under my belt, listening to this book again has given me an even deeper look into Orwell’s twisted world. Ralph Cosham's smooth narration doesn't hurt either, adding an extra dimension to the book.
I think it is so important that Animal Farm remains a staple title for young students to read. While some may interpret Orwell’s vision as purely anti-communist, history has made it clear that the messaging within is more widely applicable. I would never accuse this book of being a light read, but the whip-fast pacing and biting satire make it an incredibly enjoyable one. Long live Orwell!
Did you know?
Not surprisingly, Animal Farm was banned in the Soviet Union as well as a number of other countries.
This book has been cited as the inspiration for a number of popular songs, including "Piggies" by The Beatles.
The CIA used Animal Farm as a propaganda tool through the Cold War.
What listeners said
"This classic story was released 72 years ago and remains relevant today. I purchased this audio book to listen to Ralph Cosham narrate one of my favorite books. Cosham, who died in 2014, never disappoints." -Wayne, Audible listener
"I am sixty years old now and haven't read Animal Farm since I was a teen. Visiting this old treasure had much more of an impact than reading it long ago. It is even more relevant in this day and age. The narrator is wonderful and you can't not admire Orwell's knack for making you think deeply while at the same time entertaining you to the fullest. This was one of my favorite purchases from Audible." -R.S., Audible listener
"For some reason I was never required to read this is school, so when I saw it on list of classics, I bought it on Audible. It was a wonderful story of political corruption and societal norms. The narrator was great and his varying voices for the characters kept my interest." -Kellie, Audible listener
Listen if you loved
Quotes from Animal Farm
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
"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."
"Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals."
About the author
George Orwell is one of England's most famous writers and social commentators. Among his works are the classic political satire Animal Farm and the dystopian nightmare vision 1984. Orwell was also a prolific essayist, whose best known works during his lifetime include "Why I Write" and "Politics and the English Language." His writing continues to be read widely all over the world.
About the performer
Ralph Cosham was a British-born American film, stage and voice actor and book narrator. Cosham also recorded under the name Geoffrey Howard. He was a member of the acting companies of the Washington Theatre Club, the Folger Shakespeare Library, Arena Stage and the Shakespeare Theater all in Washington, DC. Cosham changed careers from British journalist to actor in the 1970s. Several of his works were awarded "Audio Best of the Year" by Publishers Weekly.
