Animal Farm (? or !)

[hockeychick8792]

Currently in my Honors Civics class we are reading a book called ANIMAL FARM. So far this book is a bust we are only in the fourth chapter, but the animals were all introduced, took over the farm, two animals died, and so much more. It is hard to believe that this book will get any better. If you have read it, please tell me if it gets better or worse! An what do you think of the book as a whole?
Because of right now I am ready to go onto spark notes instead of reading. Can you change my mind or help me along in any way?
Thanks!!!

[PeterL]

Currently in my Honors Civics class we are reading a book called ANIMAL FARM. So far this book is a bust we are only in the fourth chapter, but the animals were all introduced, took over the farm, two animals died, and so much more. It is hard to believe that this book will get any better. If you have read it, please tell me if it gets better or worse! An what do you think of the book as a whole?
Because of right now I am ready to go onto spark notes instead of reading. Can you change my mind or help me along in any way?
Thanks!!!

As a whole Animal Farm is very good, and it was important as a metaphor for power corrupting. It is an allegory, so parts of it are rather silly. The line "All animals are equal, but pigs are more equal than any other animals" (or words to that effect shows the essence of the book as a whole. I read it quite a few years ago, but the main point of the book remains with me. If you consider in the historical period when it was written and its commentary about totalitarian government, it makes more sense; but the message is universal. Just because Joe Stalin was killed 54 years ago doesn't mean that there are no totlitarianists around.

[hockeychick8792]

Thanks! Your opinion is heard on this subject! Although I still a little iffy on the book...

[Erna]

I really like the book! What I like about it is that you can read just what it says, then it's just a sort of fairy tale. But of course the deeper meaning and the comparison with the Russian society in the second half of the 20th century is more interesting. It described the same way of living, only than on a farm instead of a large country. An because of the use of animals, it makes it more a light read, I guess...

[johnA.B.C.Smith]

the ideas and message of animal farm are well known to every reader before they pick up the novel which for me made it very difficult to get into the story and its always hard reading a book because you have too. still worth finishing though if not for the ending then that slight sense of accomplishment that comes from completing something but PLEASE promise you wont consult spark notes until you have finished?

[Lioness_Heart]

I love the book so much. PLEASE don't give up on it; once you get to the end, the whole thing is so powerful. It's amazing.

[hockeychick8792]

Alright I guess spark notes will have to wait for the 20,000 leagues Under the Seaa. I'll probably start a thread about that too. ? ;( ?

[PeterL]

Thanks! Your opinion is heard on this subject! Although I still a little iffy on the book...

Like Anthem by Ayn Rand, Animal Farm is short, and its message is all too clear. Just read the thing. It isn't bad, and in thirty years you will still be able to say something about it..

[bazarov]

Animal Farm is really a great book, very short also so it would be a tragedy to miss it, read it, you're gonna like it, I am sure!
20,000 leagues Under the Sea is not that bad...

[Adudaewen]

Definitly give it a chance. I love this book, it was so unique and still managed to surprise me despite the fact that I already knew basically everything that was going to happen. I had a lot of fun reading it!

[The Atheist]

Don't give up on it - it's one of the great classics of the English language.

Relax while you're reading. Become Clover and hear the sounds of Orwell's crickets chirping and the scurrying feet of the mice. Listen to the wisdom of Benjamin and feel Boxer's muscles straining. Join the ducks and chickens as they harvest every grain. Let yourself become immersed in it - let go of reality and live on the farm for a few days.

You'll learn more about power and corruption from this one little book than you'll probably learn in the rest of your life!

[Hazelly]

I read the book a long time ago. Well, I'm Russian, and we've just finished with the Stalin period in History classes... Orwell hit the nail bang on the head. I wrote a test (received an "A") without revision just by remembering Animal Farm.

[F.Emerald]

This is a classic, and it's so short you might as well finish it.

[hockeychick8792]

i just finish Chapter nine today in class. AND I have to admit it is alot better than I thought it would be. Thanks for all your help. I get to read Chapter ten on Monday I wonder how it ends!?!?

[metal134]

I read Animal Farm when I was in high school. The book does seem very sily, but when you consider the pretext under which it was written and the historical parallels (well, at the time they were current events) drwan, it really is a profound piece of work. I hope that in that class, the teacher is explaining to you the allegorical and satirical significance of the book, becuase that is more important than the book itself.