Timelessness in a new translation
George Orwell, owned by Eric Arthur Blair, was born in Bengal. The boy’s family moved to England when the boy was four years old. Orwell traveled extensively throughout his adult life: he served in the imperial police force in Burma, experienced homelessness in Paris, participated in the Spanish civil war, and found temporary asylum in Morocco. The fruit of his international experience are the books: Homage to Catalonia (1938), Animal Farm (1943) and 1984 (1949), which brought him international fame. The latest edition of the aforementioned political fairy tale, published in the series Time Machine, i.e. Animal Farm, appeared on the market thanks to the Rebis publishing house. The book was translated by Maja Justyna and this is the first edition in this translation. The reader’s attention is undoubtedly drawn to the unusual cover, which fits in with the plot concept of the piece. Graphics invites the reader to visit a world where, instead of an idyllic utopia, there is a totalitarian nightmare.
“They won, but they were exhausted and bloodied” …
At the time of publication, the book was read as an allegory of Soviet totalitarianism. It is assumed that since 1945 its message remains appallingly relevant. The animal farm can be read as a virulent satire on the enemies of freedom hidden under various masks. The rebellion of animals, convinced of their own worth, explodes imperceptibly and creates an inevitable conflict. Various species, who recognize themselves as smarter, lead a revolution to a happy end. However, this is nothing but a delusion. Power-hungry pigs have the same characteristics as Stalin or Trotsky; other animals, sheep, resemble the masses of the working class or peasants devoted to the Party, and dogs … spread terror like the encavourists. Thanks to the dynamic plot, the atmosphereThe animal farm becomes more and more gloomy, leading the reader to unequivocal conclusions: although times change, people do not necessarily. Revolution has many faces, especially when each significant one can set itself different goals.
In delight
Orwell’s work deserves recognition. Despite the fact that both the Animal Farm and 1984 take similar topics, the content of the reviewed item seems more interesting to the reader. Stylization in the style of an Aesopian fairy tale makes it easier to imagine the social and psychological aspects of totalitarianism. Orwell made sure that the language of the novel was not difficult for the recipient and now, also thanks to the translation, we can recall well-known and repeated quotes. An animal farm is undoubtedly a literary proposition for you, you and you. For everyone and everyone. This short, timely and very coherent story is actually a warning – it doesn’t take much for the world to plunge into despair and chaos, chaos and despair.
