Animal Farm - George Orwell

Recommended for all ages.

Animal Farm - A Fairy Story is a classic book. It's politically insightful in its allegorical nature but also enjoyable as a tale about how even the most noble goals can be usurped by a cruel leader. Succinctly written, Orwell has created a timeless story which will make anyone empathise with the (non-pig/dog) animals.

At its most basic plot level Animal Farm tells the story of a bunch of animals who decide to overthrow their cruel human master and rule themselves. After the initial joys of success, the animals are manipulated into giving all power to the pigs - who then abuse that power and re-enslave the animals.

I skipped the introduction, preface and foreward (I hate that so many wreck the story or give away major plot elements like I just did in paragraph 2), though if I had read them I would've learnt that Animal Farm is an allegory about the Russian Revolution (which could have been interesting). Next time.

This is a great book for kids of any age - even young readers will feel a sense of injustice at the treatment of Boxer.

Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe

Recommended for all ages.

Ok, move over The Yellow Wallpaper. I have a new favourite book. Seriously.

I was getting in a bit of a rut after reading all these novels which didn't live up to what others said about them ('brilliant', 'insightful', 'must-read' kind of books). I've gone through a series of books that deal with stupid issues and unconcerning concerns, that treat the reader like a sort of narcissistic teenager or petulant child instead of an intelligent, free-thinking adult, and that generally are not worthy of publication or anyone's time. Thankfully I got into Uncle Tom's Cabin.

It claims to be the best-selling nineteenth-century American novel, with its sensitive and intelligent portrayal of life as a slave in the South. I see no reason why it shouldn't still have resonance with its readership, because slavery isn't over with around the world (not by a long shot). We just call it something else.

Anyway, Uncle Tom's Cabin (1850's) is a beautiful and inspiring read. It's the sort of book that gives you an almost spiritual elevation, thanks to the honest and earnest discussions of faith. Its characterisation is brilliant, subtle and at the same time overwhelming. You really get to know and love the central characters, and I challenge anyone not to bawl their eyes out by page 270. The plot is fast-paced (definitely the sort of book you read under the table or by torchlight under the sheets) and the suspense is not prefaced by knowledge of the final outcome. But its most redeeming feature is that its moral tone isn't didactic. It is a genuinely good book, which will inspire any reader to greater acts of kindness towards their fellow humans.

Recommended to every reader. Now how can I enforce that??

Particularly recommended to those with an interest in the American history of slavery.

Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand

Ayn and her novel.

Recommended for ages 15-adult.

Not the most well-written story in the world, Atlas Shrugged makes up for its limited literary skill with some hard-hitting ideas about wealth and the nature of free industry. It's a basic story of love and intrigue on one hand, with a fiercely independent railway tycoon as the protagonist, but also a thought-provoking political volume. Although it drags on a bit (particularly the final chapters with John's big speech), this novel may just set you thinking about the ways society values people with intelligence and ambition. It's also an interesting celebration of working women. Indeed one reviewer calls it 'chic-lit for feminist libertarians'.

I listened to the audio version of the book (all 11 hours), and found the breaks between discs the optimum way to reflect on some of Rand's key statements. I reckon reading it would be quite full-on.

This book is intended for adults, but politically switched on young people (over 15) will find food for thought too.

Democracy in America - Alexis de Tocqueville

Recommended for people who enjoy heavy political tomes.

Okay, so this book is extraordinary for one main reason - it sums up the entire American consciousness, politics, religion and social customs in a way that really made me think. My favourite chapter explored the ways historians in a democratic country write in comparison to those in an aristocracy.

I won't go into detail here - the type of readers interested in this book will probably already know it. This entry is here purely to remind me to reread it and keep it in the back of my mind for future reference.