The first book I read this year is Animal Farm by George Orwell, a novel I had always wanted to read but, for whatever reason, never got around to—until now. And I must say, it was worth the wait.
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At its core, Animal Farm is an allegorical fable that explores power, corruption, and the dangers of totalitarianism. The story follows a group of farm animals who overthrow their human owner, hoping to establish an equal society where all animals share the benefits of their labor. However, as the pigs take control, the dream of equality quickly crumbles, exposing the harsh realities of manipulation and tyranny.
The novel paints how ideals can be twisted for the benefit of those in power, and how they gradually transformed into the very thing the animals sought to escape. If you read in between the lines, the real fun comes by relating it to the historical events that the story is symbolizing and how it is even repeating in the present. Therefore, themes are timeless, and despite being published in 1945, the novel remains incredibly relevant today. It’s a short read but one that lingers in your mind long after you finish it.
I’m glad I could finally pick this book up. It’s a brilliant and thought-provoking start to my reading year, and it has set the bar high for the books to come.
Thanks for reading!
Have a nice day!