In 1945, writer Eric Blair had his novel published by Secker & Warburg. The novel, originally subtitled as ‘a fairy story’, was a satirical allegory following the antics of a group of anthropomorphic farm animals. August 17 marks 80 years since its publication. The novel is, of course, Animal Farm, by George Orwell (1903-1950).
Orwell, journalist, novelist and poet, opposed totalitarianism in all its forms – facism, communism, etc. (look around for plenty of current examples). In the fictional Manor Farm, the animals rebel against the farmer and take over the business, hoping to give themselves a better, freer, more relaxed existence. All goes well until the pigs start taking the lead, with a particularly nasty specimen, Napoleon, heading the field. The result is bigger mess than when they started, but of course the pigs know better.
Orwell says that it was the first book in which he intended to fuse artistic and political purpose. An aim he achieved with enormous success.
Animal Farm has become a huge commercial and international success. There are a large number of animated versions to choose from as well as print and digital editions. I treasure a much read, early 1960s copy, in the distinctive orange of publishers Penguin, now squirreled away in my archives. Time magazine chose in as one of the 100 best English language novels and in a 2003 BBC poll it reached No. 46.
This is a definite must read and I’m always surprised by the number of people who recognise the quotes but have never opened the book. And the headline? It’s a quote from Snowball, one of the key pigs – loosely based on Leon Trotsky. Snowball is intelligent and full of ideas about education and improvements on the farm, which makes him a target for Napoleon. Predictably, he’s chased off the farm of course.
deilibri 