My first exposure to Animal Farm came around 1970 when a baseball game got rained out and the local TV station had air time to fill, so they showed a cartoon version of Animal Farm. (It might have been the 1954 version, but I don't remember its being that long.)
I eventually read the book in high school. We did not typically have required books to read, but we did have to read and review four books of our choice every semester. My review of Animal Farm was unusual - instead of reading it as an allegory of Soviet history, like everyone else, I read it as a warning to Americans! Naturally, I was criticized by other students for a supposedly "anti-American" reading, but I realized even then that it could happen here!
Absolutely loved reading Orwells' "Animal Farm" in HS. Sat on an obvious shelf in the library's hallway window, not hidden away. Maybe most red-states still let students read it? Thanks to C Young for review of the plot and ties to history (inspired by Orwell's attempt to fight fascism in Spain, analogies to later Soviets clear to us, but not to those publishers at the time who turned it down).
Another adaptation: There is a theatre company in Nova Scotia, called Two Planks and a Passion, which performs outdoors. Every year they produce one or two "main" plays that run in the afternoon, and a night-time play that is performed around a camp fire (which the actors are constantly stoking). A few years ago they performed an adaptation of Animal Farm around the fire. A musical, at that. I thought that sounded ridiculous, but it was terrific!
Reading this, I imagined JD and others painting thier faces orange, gradually, shade by shade, until they match the boss's. Wouldn't surprise me if they did.
Loved the review Cathy. When I read this in high school, our teacher definitely didn't go into as much of the Soviet parallels as you did. Going to need to re-read to fully appreciate it again.
“Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Eighty years after the publication of “Animal Farm,” we as a species either have not learned this lesson, or we just enjoy the feelings power gives far too much to care.
Cathy, an excellent review of Animal Farm and the history behind the novel. I haven't read this book since I was in the 8th grade over 50 years ago and your review has inspired me to read it again. Thank you.
Thank you kindly, Cathy , for this great article on “Animal Farm”.
This monk hopes that Cathy write an article on “1984”, to get a new perspective.
This monk sees “1984” already in America, in the name of “equity” and “identity politics”. He believes that all people should be treated equally, with “equal opportunities”. The reality is that not all people are equally born with beautiful bodies, smart brains, nice middle class suburban homes…It is up to each individual to work hard to thrive.
The resilience and thriving of the Jewish people over millennia, despite persecution and displacement, is inextricably linked to the strong traditions of education, family, and community. So called “systemic racism” is an excuse, not a reason to not thrive here in America.
Eg. This monk grew up poor in the hood. But, he had the opportunity to go to a public school, had the support of family and community. He is now part of the middle class. 🙏
What an excellent review! Thank you. "Animal Farm" is a book that I first read in high school and has had a lasting impact on how I view politics and other facets of the world.
My first exposure to Animal Farm came around 1970 when a baseball game got rained out and the local TV station had air time to fill, so they showed a cartoon version of Animal Farm. (It might have been the 1954 version, but I don't remember its being that long.)
I eventually read the book in high school. We did not typically have required books to read, but we did have to read and review four books of our choice every semester. My review of Animal Farm was unusual - instead of reading it as an allegory of Soviet history, like everyone else, I read it as a warning to Americans! Naturally, I was criticized by other students for a supposedly "anti-American" reading, but I realized even then that it could happen here!
Absolutely loved reading Orwells' "Animal Farm" in HS. Sat on an obvious shelf in the library's hallway window, not hidden away. Maybe most red-states still let students read it? Thanks to C Young for review of the plot and ties to history (inspired by Orwell's attempt to fight fascism in Spain, analogies to later Soviets clear to us, but not to those publishers at the time who turned it down).
https://strongfixion.substack.com/p/reading-leon-trotskys-the-assassination?r=26v1w7
Another adaptation: There is a theatre company in Nova Scotia, called Two Planks and a Passion, which performs outdoors. Every year they produce one or two "main" plays that run in the afternoon, and a night-time play that is performed around a camp fire (which the actors are constantly stoking). A few years ago they performed an adaptation of Animal Farm around the fire. A musical, at that. I thought that sounded ridiculous, but it was terrific!
"‘Thanks to the leadership of Comrade Napoleon, how excellent this water tastes!’”
It took a split second to remember what that reminded me of: "It's good that you sent the bad man to the cornfield."
Very enjoyable. Thank you, Cathy Young.
Reading this, I imagined JD and others painting thier faces orange, gradually, shade by shade, until they match the boss's. Wouldn't surprise me if they did.
Humans have never been able to harness power and greed. That’s the ultimate lesson of Animal Farm.
I'll have to check out that latest movie version.
It's great having these Friday columns by Cathy Young, keep 'em coming please!
I must have read this starting age 9-10 and re-read at least a 1/2 dozen times growing up.
It's been years now, but looks like time to read again. It will be a treat
Loved the review Cathy. When I read this in high school, our teacher definitely didn't go into as much of the Soviet parallels as you did. Going to need to re-read to fully appreciate it again.
“Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Eighty years after the publication of “Animal Farm,” we as a species either have not learned this lesson, or we just enjoy the feelings power gives far too much to care.
Cathy, an excellent review of Animal Farm and the history behind the novel. I haven't read this book since I was in the 8th grade over 50 years ago and your review has inspired me to read it again. Thank you.
Excellent review of the book and its history. Thank you!
Thank you kindly, Cathy , for this great article on “Animal Farm”.
This monk hopes that Cathy write an article on “1984”, to get a new perspective.
This monk sees “1984” already in America, in the name of “equity” and “identity politics”. He believes that all people should be treated equally, with “equal opportunities”. The reality is that not all people are equally born with beautiful bodies, smart brains, nice middle class suburban homes…It is up to each individual to work hard to thrive.
The resilience and thriving of the Jewish people over millennia, despite persecution and displacement, is inextricably linked to the strong traditions of education, family, and community. So called “systemic racism” is an excuse, not a reason to not thrive here in America.
Eg. This monk grew up poor in the hood. But, he had the opportunity to go to a public school, had the support of family and community. He is now part of the middle class. 🙏
Be a volunteer in your community. 🙏
What an excellent review! Thank you. "Animal Farm" is a book that I first read in high school and has had a lasting impact on how I view politics and other facets of the world.
Comrade Orange.