Melissa Bernasconi

Dark and disturbing. I'm typing up this review after recently finishing reading this book. Not a difficult read, but the book certainly has a dark meaning within its pages. The book is centered around Winston Smith (main protagonist), who disagrees with the current political regime. Eric Arthur Blair (aka George Orwell) wrote this book because he feared the world was going to plunge itself into totalitarian regime through war. Even though he was very wrong about what really happened (and didn't live to actually see it), the book has a very clear message. I would recommend this book for anyone 13 and up. Actually, the reviews with only 1 or 2 stars seem to be written by people with lack of knowledge of totalitarian rule, were forced to read it or were looking for an enjoyable read.

This book seems like a Charlotte's Web type of novel when you first look at it, but in reality it is describing a really dark period in Russian history in a kind of metaphorical way. One thing George Orwell has done very well. The book is really describing the events of the Russian revolution and the proceeding events, while using farm animals to represent real life people who were involved in these events, the pigs especially. Napoleon himself represents Joseph Stalin. Squealer represents Vyacheslav Molotov, Stalin's propagandist. Snowball represents Leon Trotsky, a former ally of Stalin who rebelled against him. This book taught me a lot about Soviet Russia and taught me a lot about greed, power and totalitarian regimes. They are always bad and they restrict the rights and freedoms of everyday civilians. It also taught me a fair bit about communism; it can lead to totalitarianism and political oppression. This is a brilliant book!

Certainly an enjoyable read for children and about a small girl's potential for good. Loved this book!!