Occasionally Eloquent

I have to admit that throughout the first half of animal farm, my thoughts skewed towards doubting the novel’s place in literature. I had no doubt that the writing was well done and the plot lacked holes, but it missed the punch I usually find throughout classics.

But as I neared the last 20 pages I realized that the entire plot was one massive buildup to a magnificent political commentary that even an admittedly dense person when it comes politics (me) could understand.

Once again, it would be wrong of me to lay out the entire plot, that way you would never read it. This book brought so many things to my attention: things I now feel responsible to think about but wish I didn’t have to. But I do feel compelled to tell my take away of the piece, and leave it to ruminate with those who have read Animal Farm.

I think the entire book was a genius way of saying that no political system will ever live up to our standards, due to the insufficiency of human nature. This thought really spoke to me in the end when Orwell stressed the similarity between the pigs and humans.

There were gut-wrenching parts, and hopeful parts, all of which I was happy to be there for. I have never been a person to cry over a piece of fiction, but this one almost brought me to the point of tears.

I truly think the last 20 pages of Animal Farm are pages I will think about often in the next few years. I am even sad the copy I have is due back at the library soon; I might have read it again.

Last night I started a new book: The People In The Trees, by Hanya Yanagihara. Clearly less critically acclaimed, but I think I needed a break from thinking; stay tuned.