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Animal Farm

By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
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Editorial review


By Seth Hartman, Audible Editor

ANIMAL FARM IS STILL THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLITICAL SATIRE

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!

Continue reading Seth's review >

Publisher's summary

George Orwell's classic satire of the Russian Revolution is an intimate part of our contemporary culture, quoted so often that we tend to forget who wrote the original words. It is an account of the bold struggle that transforms Mr. Jones' Manor Farm into Animal Farm, a wholly democratic society built on the credo that All Animals Are Created Equal. Out of their cleverness, the pigs Napoleon, Squealer, and Snowball emerge as leaders of the new community in a subtle evolution that bears an insidious familiarity. The climax is the brutal betrayal of the faithful horse Boxer, when totalitarian rule is re-established with the bloodstained postscript to the founding slogan: But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others.
To supplement the full text version of George Orwell's Animal Farm, listen to the SparkNotes Guide for Animal Farm.
©1946 Harcourt Brace and Jovanich, Inc. (P)1991 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A wise, compassionate, and illuminating fable of our times....The steadiness and lucidity of Orwell's merciless wit are reminiscent of Anatole France and even of Swift." (The New York Times Book Review)

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What listeners say about Animal Farm

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book!

The narrator does a wonderful job! The story is amazing and its point should not be lost on anyone. It would be funnier if the parallels in this book didn't model our current president (or lack thereof) so closely.

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Timely

While this book was a work of fiction, the message and warnings could not be any truer and resonate more. than they do today. Listening to this book in the world's current political climate stirred numerous emotions within. It forced me to 0ause for a moment of concern and reflection, then look towards ways I can work to ensure future events do not repeat historical occurrences.

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Riveting

If you could sum up Animal Farm in three words, what would they be?

Riveting story, engaging and thought provoking

Who was your favorite character and why?

Squealer was one of the most interesting characters to me

What does Ralph Cosham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He's an excellent narrator and truly acts out the entire story and brought it to life more than if I had read it from a book

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Its such a powerful story, I just found it very engaging - I was eager to listen to it. Its upsetting and thought provoking - it didn't make me laugh or cry but it certainly made me think a lot

Any additional comments?

I love that it was only a few hours. It is hard to find an audio book as good as this that is so short - in fact so far this is the only one I've found - which is perfect for someone like me who has very limited time in the car to listen to audiobooks

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good and disturbing, quick listen

At just a little over 3 hours, this little book grabs your attention and in true George Orwell fashion, disturbs you deeply and makes you look at life just a little differently. A good listen, a good narrator and a pleasure to listen through.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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reflective of our current situation

I can't decide if it's more comical or depressing in how closely it relates to our current political scene and state of affairs.
"Windmill or no windmill, life will go on... that is to say, badly" - Benjamin the Donkey

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The farm.

A tale that is timeless and dark. Knowledge is power. Don’t be a Sheep. Lol. Better than I remembered as a child.

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As Real Today as it Was When it Was Written

George Orwell really understood the world as it was and as it still is (unfortunately as it will probably always be as long as people are on it).

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The allegory and the king

A depiction of the brutal and animalistic tendencies that parallel the reality of stalin's USSR and communist tendencies reflecting the insanity of humanities juggle between Communism and Capitalism.

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WRONG!

Which Farm Animal are you?
WRONG!
Unless you answered Sheep you most likely wrong

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quick and easy listening

If you looking for a book that short interesting as a good story and a good moral this is it

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