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Book Review: 1984

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1984 is a dystopian science fiction novel that draws inspiration from totalitarian regimes, especially Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany. The author, George Orwell, creates a bleak and terrifying world controlled by an all-powerful government known as the Party, led by the mysterious and ever-present figurehead Big Brother. The story follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the Party who begins to secretly question the system he’s forced to live under. In this society, every move is watched, every thought is monitored, and even the past is constantly rewritten to fit the Party’s version of the truth.

One of the most interesting ideas in the book is how the Party controls reality itself through language and psychological manipulation. Concepts like Newspeak, which reduces the number of words in the language, and Doublethink, the ability to hold two contradictory beliefs at the same time, show how powerful and dangerous propaganda can be. Orwell’s world is chilling because it feels like it could actually happen—where truth no longer matters, and people are brainwashed into loving their oppression.

Winston’s journey starts with quiet resistance. He writes in a secret journal, begins a forbidden relationship, and seeks out the truth about the past. But as the story progresses, we see how overwhelming and inescapable the Party’s control really is. What makes the story so powerful is that it doesn’t offer a happy ending. Instead, it shows what can happen when power is unchecked and people are forced to give up their freedom in exchange for safety.

I found this concept incredibly thought-provoking. The idea that a government can erase history, control language, and break a person’s mind until they fully accept lies as truth is honestly terrifying. Orwell does an amazing job showing how fear, surveillance, and manipulation can destroy not just individuals, but entire societies. I read this for the first time in 7th grade, and it left a big impression on me. The themes still feel relevant today, which is part of what makes it such a powerful read. This classic is a 10/10, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in politics, psychology, or just a good, intense story.

Animal Farm Book Review

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Animal Farm is an allegorical fiction novel written by George Orwell, used to depict how corrupt leaders can manipulate those who are less knowledgeable into doing what they want. Orwell was alive during the time of the Russian Revolution, where Joseph Stalin had taken power away from Leon Trotsky and manipulated the Russian people into thinking that he is going to make Russia a better place; Stalin was just trying to get people to believe in his ideas, so that he could get them to do what he wanted. Since George Orwell watched these historical events take place, he wrote Animal Farm to inform the people of this time that they had been taken advantage of by these dictators, and that if they had been further educated, they would have noticed.

In the novel, Orwell uses the pigs to represent the more educated members of society and shows how they take advantage of the less educated animals. The horses on the farm, Boxer and Mollie, represent the working class in Russia during the early 1900s and how they believed whatever they were told due to their lack of education.

One of the pigs, Napoleon, becomes a dictator figure on the farm and manipulates all of the lesser animals to work for him and turn the farm into a paradise for the pigs. Once the smarter animals such as Benjamin, the donkey, who represents the working class, inform the other animals of what the pigs are doing they realize that they have been tricked into being the pigs’ slaves, but it is already too late.

Overall I felt that this book was a good example of how an excess of power can be turned into something bad. This book taught me that knowledge is important so that you can make decisions for yourself and know when someone is steering you in the wrong direction. I liked this book because it was entertaining to read about the fictional animals, but the moral of the story was also inspirational.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: Animal Farm

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Animal Farm is a dystopian science fiction novella that draws inspiration from the Russian Revolution. The author George Orwell depicts a world in which the animals on the farm overthrow the farmers. The pigs are the leaders of the “coup” in which they create the Seven Commandments of Animalism, the most crucial being “all animals are equal”.

Life without the humans starts off well, but as the story continues it shows the descent of the original beliefs. The animals build a windmill to create their income and fund the farm. By the end of the story, the pigs are drinking amongst other human farmers. I found this concept very interesting. The idea is that in an attempt to create a better situation, the pigs became just like the people they despised. As even their motto got changed to “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”.

Orwell perfectly illustrates how as the oldest members of the original coup die, the younger ones begin to abuse their power. The symbolism of animals on a farm representing people in a society is truly brilliant. I read this for the first time in 7th grade. This classic is a 10/10 and I highly recommend it.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

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Book Recommendation: 1984

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1984 is a dystopian novel by George Orwell. Published in the year 1949, the book was intended to be a cautionary tale of the consequences of life during totalitarian or oppressive governments.  The world Orwell describes in the story (Oceania), is based on Stalinism in the Soviet Union. 

The main character, Winston, is a worker at the Ministry of Truth. His job is to ensure the newspapers, films, and education systems in Oceania fit the political agenda of Big Brother (the dictator) and end free thought. Winston secretly resents the way of life and is in constant worry of being caught by the Thought Police, whose job is to ensure the indoctrination of all the citizens. Winston starts an illegal relationship with his co-worker Julia, who also wishes for a rebellion. 

Throughout the novel, Winston narrates and makes the reader question does he loves Julia or does he just loves getting back at the system that took so much from him? Orwell made a phenomenal allegory and I would personally be worried for my future if I saw this in 1949. Even though we know now that nothing like this happened in 1984, the themes of trusting in a corrupt government and totalitarianism will forever be prevalent. I recommend this book for 7th grade to high schoolers for anyone who likes science fiction or thrillers. This is a personal favorite of mine because I have not experienced or read anything like this. Overall I would give the book a 9/10.

1984 by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: 1984

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1984 written by George Orwell is a great book if you want to get into the classics, if you read his other book, Animal Farm, you might like this book as well.

A grotesque take of a corrupt communist society, 1984 follows Winston Smith, a cog in the machine in the records department of the Ministry of Truth. His work forces him to work with the documents of the “erased,” those who have committed atrocities towards the party and therefore are erased. Winston struggles with the meaning of how to be human in a world that does not value the creativity of the individual but rather the longevity of the party under their leader, Big Brother. People in this society are blatantly brainwashed consistently throughout the novel and the only one bothered by this seems to be Winston. He buys a contraband journal where he writes these thoughtcrimes and eventually finds a woman that shares the same thoughts as him.

It’s interesting to see the parallels between this book and our world today where Uncle Sam represents our country, and communist Vietnam former president Ho Chi Minh is referred to as “Uncle.” Big Brother always watching is also symbolic of North Korea, where it is custom for every room to have portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-un watching over their citizens at all times.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoyed: Zone of Interest, The Creator, Oppenheimer, All Quiet on the Western Front, or the Matrix. The similar theme among these are humans versus their government and their allegiance to their morality party.

1984 by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Animal Farm Book Review

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Imagine fighting to overthrow a corrupt leader, just to end up with someone even worse. Last year in Sophomore English class I was required to read Animal Farm by George Orwell. This book is an allegorical novella reflecting the events of Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution. At the time, I was taking an AP European History class, so this book really impressed me as a history lover.

Animal Farm depicts the story of a farm where the animals overthrow the farmer in hopes of a more egalitarian animal-run society. However, when they are able to overthrow their masters, their utopian vision does not seem to be their new reality.

The main theme throughout Animal Farm is power and the desire to obtain this power. The novel depicts how a revolution for better living can quickly turn into a state where citizens have less power than they started with. The allegorical style can be viewed as a simple breakdown of the events of the Russian Revolution and the novel almost acts like a history lesson. It’s important to note the controversy Animal Farm has sparked. Many institutions banned the novel as it was considered “communist propaganda,” while some simply disliked the novel as they believed it provided a negative view on socialism.

Regardless of public opinion, I thought Animal Farm was a very interesting novel and I was captivated throughout my whole reading experience. I would recommend this novel in particular to anyone who knows or has learned about the Bolshevik Revolution as it makes the book 100 more times enjoyable to analyze and identify the parallels. Watching the tone of the animal leadership shift was absolutely page-turning, and I think any fan of history would truly enjoy this novel!

Animal Farm by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

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In recent times, people have often underestimated the value in reading classic novels and the lessons that can be learned from them. Animal Farm, by prolific writer George Orwell, is an essential classic that everyone must consider reading in their lifetime. 

Published in 1945, Animal farm tells the story of the farm animals who live on Manor Farm under the brutal restraint of their owner: Mr. Jones. In an attempt to seek asylum from Mr. Jones’ cruel ways, the animals congregate under the influence of an old pig on the farm, staging what’s reminiscent of a coup d’etat against Mr. Jones.

The simplistic diction displayed by Orwell throughout Animal Farm reveals the underlying complexity within his story. Animal Farm is an easy read, yet truly gets one thinking about how they perceive the world around them. 

While reading Animal Farm, I couldn’t ignore the similarity in the interactions of a few of the characters to the relationship between historical figures Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. Orwell’s representation of these figures in Animal Farm is symbolic of his efforts to encourage the general public to educate themselves and to be cautious about believing everything told by those around them.

While being an older novel, Animal Farm is relevant in its content through an enticing story that has lessons applicable to the world today. I firmly believe that anyone, no matter their age, would appreciate the plot of this story and enjoy the book. Next time you find yourself looking for an interesting and easily digestible book to read, consider Animal Farm. You won’t be disappointed.

– Taylor O.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Book Review: Animal Farm

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Animal Farm is a novel written by George Orwell and published in 1945. Animal Farm is about a group of mistreated and malnourished animals on a farm that is run by an alcoholic farmer that neglected his duties as a farmer. The fable reflects the events leading up to the Russian Revolution and into the Stalinist era of communism and the Soviet Union in the form of animals on a farm.

The book starts off with Old Major, oldest and wisest pig telling all the animals that he has a dream of a society where the animals would have control of the farm and everyone would have equal jobs and roles in the farm. A day passes and Old Major passes away and the rest of the animals decide to make Old Major’s dream come true and decide to start a revolution and kick the farmer off his own farm. The animals create a set of rules that make them all equal and have the same rights. The pigs are appointed to run the farm because they are the smartest and the pigs decide to slowly change the rules of the farm for their own benefit. The animals begin to run the farm and discover that the pigs are slowly becoming more human-like which was exactly what they didn’t want to happen.

I really liked this book. It is very interesting how the society slowly evolves and the pigs begin to manipulate the rules for themselves.  I found it interesting how every character and type of animal each have their own traits that represented an aspect of the Russian Revolution and Stalinist era. Animal Farm is a true classic novel that I would recommend to anyone interested in reading it.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

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Animal Farm by George Orwell is a short, yet classic allegorical novella of dystopian and political fiction. The book takes place on Manor Farm, a large farm where animals constantly feel oppressed by humans. Their anger towards the human race motivates them to rebel against rulership by kicking their farmer out of the farm and running the farm on their own. In Animal Farm–where all animals are supposedly equal–the lives of the animals turn upside down when pigs and dogs begin to rise in power through manipulation and propaganda. Throughout the novel, there’s a gradual progression where the pigs of Animal Farm begin to resemble humans both physically and psychologically.

Although this novel can be a fictional book for children, adults and teens are able to look past the plot and truly understand the story’s meaning. I, myself, am grateful to have read this at an older age so the themes are more prominent and prevalent to real life. Considering that George Orwell himself was a democratic socialist, the novel was a direct form of criticism towards communism, totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, and two infamous dictators–Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler. Orwell also includes various ways in which the ruling class ridicules and manipulates the working class. The working class is often seen giving up energy and resources for the benefit of the ruling class, yet they’re brain washed into feeling content with their lives, believing that all their hard work is contributing to the farm as a whole.

After reading the novel, I was amazed by Orwell’s writing. I’ve never read a novel which thoroughly portrays the political maneuvering of totalitarianism. The message woven into the book was strong and clear, yet also written in a disturbing manner that will stick to readers for quite a long time. Personally, I enjoy these heavy topics, so it’s interesting to see Orwell’s light twist on the topic so the novel seems more kid-friendly. I also admire the author’s creativity when writing the book. It’s rare to see a writer eloquently convey a revolution. However, it’s more unique to see an author write an ironic revolution that comes back in a full circle and leaves the characters in the same position as they started. The symbolism of personified farm animals surprisingly pushes the plot forward as well, allowing readers to understand and connect with the characters more than humans ever could.

Would I ever recommend this to a child? Definitely not. I believe that it’s important to understand the true message of the novel, regardless of how dark the message may be. Even though many of us don’t live under a totalitarian regime or a communist society, it’s important to understand how we as individuals play a role in our current society and political system. Are we idly standing by, waiting upon others for a better future? Or are we making our own decisions for the future we want to achieve?

– Natisha P.

Animal Farm by George Orwell is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Overdrive.

1984 by George Orwell

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1984 by George Orwell (2017, Hardcover) for sale online | eBay

1984 was a political novel by George Orwell, a British left-wing writer, published in 1949. In 1984, the world was divided among three superpowers — Oceania, Eurasia and East Asia. Wars broke out among the three countries, and the social structure inside the three countries was completely broken. Extreme measures such as breaking families suppress people’s thoughts and instincts were implemented, the government controls people’s behavior with a “telescreen” under surveillance and monitoring function.

In this work, Orville deeply analyzes the totalitarian society, and depicts a suffocating and terrifying hypothetical future society with the ultimate goal of power, projecting the totalitarian nature of real life through the detailed depiction of the life of an ordinary person in this society. The author, through the psychological and linguistic description of the hero Winston, expresses his resentment towards the public’s numbness, as if all the people in Oceania were indifferent towards this evil society. The author’s writing always reveals a kind of satire on totalitarian rule and the utopian ideal.

Although the final result is a failure, the struggling process is of eternal value. The underground love between Winston and Julia, the hero, could not survive the torture, but the flame of love gives us a good hope of humanity. Winston and Julia’s love failed, but after all, they had blossomed in the face of harsh reality. It is conceivable that similar love will blossom and bear fruit in the future.

1984 by George Orwell is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Overdrive.