Classic Dystopian Novel with Only 10 Chapters Ranked a 'Most Read Book' on Goodreads
Written between 1943 and 1944, Animal Farm by George Orwell was originally penned as a satirical story against Stalin. While the book was originally released to disappointing reception, it has withstood the test of time and is now widely considered to be one of the greatest stories of the 20th century. The novel is also prolific amongst readers, and it was ranked as one of the "Most Read Books" according to Goodreads.
Because of the books subject and themes, Orwell had difficulties getting it published due to hesitancy that its material might upset the western wartime alliance held with the Soviet Union. Eventually the first edition was published in London in 1945. The book was very commercially successful, but it still faced issues finding a published in the United States, mostly for political reasons. Once a US publisher saw shoppers in the UK trying to find copies of the consistently sold-out Animal Farm, it was picked up for distribution.
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Animal Farm is a novella that tells the story of a group of mistreated animals who live on a farm and work together to overthrow their alcoholic, abusive human farmer. Once they establish their own government, it starts out idealistic being led by the pigs on the farm. However, over time, the pigs in charge begin to abuse their power and the other animals start to rebel against them. The book explores freedom, autonomy, revolution, and totalitarianism.
While Animal Farm has been a very popular choice to read in schools, the novella (only about 140 words and 10 short chapters) is frequently challenged when included in curriculum. Even as recently as 2018, the book is banned or heavily restricted in several countries including the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and China.
Animal Farm was selected by Time as one of the "100 Greatest English-Language Books of All Time." It won a Retrospective Hugo Award in 1996 and was number 31 on the Modern Library List of Best 20th-Century Novels.
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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 12:27 PM.