Animal Farm

An uncanny look into the way communism forms and falls.

This is the second time I read Animal Farm, the first time being for English class in high school, as so many students do. I can confidently say that I took it in and understood it much more this time than before. Practically all I remembered from before was hating the book, probably because it didn't have a happy ending like all my favourite stories had. As I read it over again this time, I can pinpoint that the scene with Boxer cemented my dislike for the story when I was younger.

It still isn't a book I necessarily enjoyed reading, but I can appreciate it more, and it wasn't a drag to get through. Half the fun is watching all the characters do things simply because they're animals. It does its job well as a commentary on how those who crave power will find their way to the top, or those at the top will let power go to their heads. It certainly leaves you with a hopeless feeling for society, though.

I would recommend this as a read for anyone curious about this kind of social commentary, but with a warning that the ending resolves nothing. As is intended.