Animal FarmAnimal Farm
Score Classic
What it's about
The animals of Manor Farm, inspired by an old boar's dream of freedom, rise up and drive out their drunken farmer, Mr. Jones. They set out to build a society where all animals are equal. The pigs, the cleverest of the animals, take charge, and over time Napoleon, a ruthless pig, takes over, rewriting history and the rules as he goes. George Orwell's fable is an allegory of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalin.
Why it's worth reading
It's on TIME's list of the best novels, the Modern Library's and the BBC's Big Read. It's one of the most famous political fables ever written, and "some animals are more equal than others" is part of the language.
You'll love it if you liked
1984
Brave New World
Lord of the FliesGood to know
It's barely a hundred pages and can be read in an afternoon. Knowing the history of the Soviet Union adds a layer, but it's not necessary.
By the numbers
- Readers51 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics83 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller55 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking
More by George Orwell
1984
Homage to Catalonia
The Road to Wigan PierIf you like this, read next
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
The Color Purple
The Lord of the Rings
A Brief History of Time
Lonesome DoveExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Animal Farm worth reading?
Yes. It's on TIME's list of the best novels, the Modern Library's and the BBC's Big Read. It ranks #443 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 79.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Animal Farm about?
The animals of Manor Farm, inspired by an old boar's dream of freedom, rise up and drive out their drunken farmer, Mr. Jones. They set out to build a society where all animals are equal. The pigs, the cleverest of the animals, take charge, and over time Napoleon, a ruthless pig, takes over, rewriting history and the rules as he goes. George Orwell's fable is an allegory of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalin.
How long does it take to read Animal Farm?
About 3 hours (112 pages), or about 6 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Animal Farm?
If you liked it, try 1984 by George Orwell, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley or Lord of the Flies by William Golding.