I don't really know how I've done a degree in politics and yet never read Animal Farm. I read [b:1984|5470|1984|George Orwell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348990566s/5470.jpg|153313] many moons ago and liked it, though it's probably due for a re-read, and Orwell's other novel is also just fantastic.

I feel like the story of Animal Farm is one that is well known within popular culture, but essentially it is a satire on the Russian revolution, where the animals on a farm rebel against their owners after they tire of being removed from the things they produce. Following the expulsion of the farmer, they establish Animal Farm with utopian ideals, which begin to deteriorate over time as the pigs begin to take control.

If know about the events of the Russian revolution then you will definitely recognise the historical figures that the pigs are supposed to represent. However, even if you don't have this knowledge the book remains really fascinating and just brilliantly written by Orwell. His writing is pretty close to perfect, every word just has its place and the set pieces are really effective. *That* scene with Boxer, the windmill and then the final sentence were just chilling and brilliant.

If you're super behind like me, you should fix that now.