First published in 1945, "Animal Farm" is an allegorical novella by George Orwell that tells the tale of the animal inhabitants of a farm who engage in a rebellion against the farmer in order to usher in a free, equal society. However, their efforts are subverted by a pig called Napoleon who leads them into a brutal dictatorship instead. The story is based upon the 1917 Russian Revolution and the Soviet Union under Stalin, written at a time when Stalin was held in high esteem by the British intelligentsia. An absolute classic of Western literature not to be missed by those with a keen interest in history and politics. Eric Arthur Blair (1903—1950), more commonly known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English journalist, essayist, critic. His work is characterised by an opposition to totalitarianism and biting social commentary, and remains influential in popular culture today. Many of his neologisms have forever entered the English language, including "Thought Police", "Big Brother", "Room 101", "doublethink", "thoughtcrime", and "Newspeak" to name but a few. Other notable works by this author include: "Burmese Days" (1934), "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" (1936), and "Coming Up for Air" (1939). Read & Co. Classics is proudly publishing this novel now in a new edition complete with the introductory essay "Why I Write".
