why ?
To read?
Why not both? Animal Farm is really short. I was able to read it in a couple of hours on the way home one day.
I prefer Animal Farm. Assuming you know the gist of what both stories are about, I don’t feel Nineteen Eighty-Four has enough to offer to really be an enjoyable read.
I was looking for rating of these books from dopers who have read both .
I read “1984” long ago , and intends to read animal farm soon !
I loved 1984, and it remains one of my favorite books. I still quote it on a regular basis.
But Animal Farm has a special place in my heart. I love that book, it is also very quotable.
I guess I love them equally. Maybe Animal farm a little more equally than 1984.
Have read both, at least 3x I think.
It’s a cop-out, but the answer is of course “it depends.”
Animal Farm is a bit of an easier read. It flows more smoothly, you can bang through it in no time. 1984 is heavier, though not prohibitively so, there are certainly books even in the genre that are tougher sledding, just by comparison.
However, 1984 is probably more RELEVANT today. Animal Farm’s an extended allegory about the rise of the Soviet Union — well yeah, but reading about the rise of a nation that fell is only of interest to a certain category of wonk. If you’re the kind of person who will watch a documentary on Nicholas & Alexandra every time it comes on (and I am), then you might enjoy Animal Farm. But the warnings, technological red flags, sociopolitical tendencies exposed in 1984 are very much still a reality.
If the question is “if there could only be one of these two books, which one would you have survive”, it’d be 1984. If it’s “What book should you start with?”, it’s probably Animal Farm.
Animal farm hit me harder. But both are good reads, obviously.
Both, and neither. There are elements in each that are plainly obvious in today’s society, although Animal Farm is a critique of the soviet system, and so perhaps less applicable.
I think Orwell paid too much attention to the power of monolithic government, which made perfect sense in post-WWII Europe. His writings don’t quite fit with the current reality, because he didn’t place enough emphasis on the role of business (perhaps because Britain was just about broke), and he didn’t foresee the influence of 24-hour saturation by corporate media.
But I think Newspeak is all around us, and some animals are more equal than others.
1984 had more to say, but Animal Farm sticks with me in ways I don’t expect. Random example: my mom raises a few chickens, and every time I go out to see them with her I feel compelled to say, “Four legs good, two legs bad!”
Both for me also. They are both really about the Soviet Union, but Animal Farm is simpler and a more direct attack, while 1984 speaks far more to today, since it can still happen even 25 years after 1984. You need to know something about the history of the Soviet Union to get Animal Farm, but 1984 stands better by itself. So Animal Farm is the appetizer and 1984 is the entree.
What an excellent post/username combo!
I vote 1984 as well, because as the decades pass, it not only remains relevant, but it becomes relevant in new ways. For example, monolithic government is less of a concern now than it was. But there are so many more ways that our privacy can be invaded. There may not be telescreens on every wall, but if Big Brother wanted to keep an eye on you, he’d have many ways of doing so.
p.s. Did you ever find out what you were supposed to do with the three seashells?
Both are brilliant, and I have a copy of each in my permanant library. I’d have to give the edge to Animal Farm, but only because I have an edition with illustrations by Ralph Steadman http://www.ralphsteadman.com/
Neither: Homage to Catalonia!
I have to say Animal Farm because it’s a “simple” fable. It hits you on a more elementary level. I think it’s a much better book to introduce a young 'un to sophisticated ideas and political commentary.
1984 or Animal farm what?
Which should you read? Both.
Which should you read first? Probably Animal Farm.
Which should you read if you are only going to read one? Probably 1984.
Which will resonate with you more? No way to tell, it depends on you. I love them both.
Neither. They’re both so heavy handed that they feel less like novels and more like tracts. Brave New World was more readable but still, bashes you over the head with the ideas. I’d take books that are actually well plotted like This Perfect Day or The Giver over 1984 any day because I never felt like that world was real to me.
I like 1984. In addition to being a good warning and wakeup call, I think it’s beautifully and intricately written. Animal Farm seemed a little silly to me – I know it’s written in a certain style on purpose, but it annoyed me a bit.
If it’s of any significance, there hasn’t been a good film adaptation for either as yet. Arguably the John Hurt 1984 came closest, but versions of Animal Farm always (heh) chicken out when it comes to the ending.
I like 1984. I have always liked 1984.
1984, 1985. Whatever it takes.