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Original poster

GCSE Animal Farm - what other Orwell?

20 replies

hotcrossapple · 26/07/2018 12:28

If you have a DC doing animal farm for English GCSE, which other Orwell books do you think are good companion reads? 1984?

I'm a huge Orwell fan but these 2 aren't particularly my favourite (Road to Wigan Pier, Coming up for Air, Homage to Catalonia immediately spring to mind).

Any commentary books you'd recommend? Any contrasting by other authors - Brave New World perhaps?

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QueenOfMyDomain · 28/07/2018 07:58

I read a lot of Orwell at that age and my favourite was Down and Out in Paris and London. In fact it’s one of my favourite books full stop.

MinaPaws · 28/07/2018 07:53

1984; Down and Out in Paris and London both good.

Fo context, definitely Brave New World; maybe Clockwork Orange, Farenheit 451; Lord of the Flies; The Chrysalids just to look at distopias.

Of Mice and Men is also stunning imo. I love teaching it.

MarchingFrogs · 28/07/2018 07:33

The Metamorphosis, evenSmile

MarchingFrogs · 28/07/2018 07:31

the kafka-esque way they convey being trapped & powerless

If you want something genuinely kafka-esque - how about Metamorphosis or The Castle?

Pengggwn · 27/07/2018 20:43

It's really good, actually. All Orwell's essays are interesting but that one sings Grin

Original poster
hotcrossapple · 27/07/2018 20:30

thanks for the politics and the english language tip, I hadn't heard of that, I'm clearly much less well read than I thought. Too long reading romances I expect.

It's funny what makes things best isn't it, I love Orwell but dystopian novels in general terrify me - 1984, Animal Farm, Handmaid's Tale, the kafka-esque way they convey being trapped & powerless - brilliant, and essential reading but nothing I want to revisit.

Whereas Macbeth say, he's the architect of his fate and his bad choices lead to his end. Less scary somehow!

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TheCatFromOuterSpace · 27/07/2018 20:16

How about the handmaid's tale? I loved it and was terrified by it as a teen, and I also loved Orwell.

Pengggwn · 27/07/2018 20:15

But to answer your question, Politics and the English Language - it's an essay, not a novel, so more manageable.

Pengggwn · 27/07/2018 20:14

Burmese Days is a brilliant read. 1984 is probably the best book I have ever read.
The Road to Wigan Pier should be mandatory reading in secondary schools.
Everyone should read Animal Farm.

RomanyRoots · 27/07/2018 18:43

The Road to Wigan Pier, very good.
Lord of The Flies
Animal Farm
Hard Times
Great Expectations
Wuthering Heights
Jane Eyre
Of Mice and Men
Romeo and Juliet
Hamlet

Original poster
hotcrossapple · 27/07/2018 17:47

A grudging reader who seems excited about this particular topic but I’m not buying too many books to see how much engagement eventuates!

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TeenTimesTwo · 27/07/2018 16:06

What we haven't asked is, is this a DC who likes reading, or one who will read one companion book grudgingly if bribed?

Carcy · 27/07/2018 15:58

How about 'Down and out in Paris and London'.

A great insight into living rough and aspects of the two cities.

TeenTimesTwo · 27/07/2018 15:45

John Wyndham is great though more science fiction - Trouble with Lichen is the most 'reality based' I would say, though nothing like Orwell at all, and a long way from Animal Farm's political satire.

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a good companion to 1984 - another world with interactive watching screens.

I just googles 'political satire novels' and as well as Animal Farm, 1984, & Brave New World, there was also Gulliver's Travels so that might be worth a read?

Original poster
hotcrossapple · 26/07/2018 20:36

Ooh interesting - I shall see how much interest I get, thanks for the suggestions!

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Sadik · 26/07/2018 17:06

The Uglies trilogy by Scott Westerfield is an interesting modern YA take on a Brave New World style dystopia. (And a fun read if it's for GCSE aged DC over the summer!)

semideponent · 26/07/2018 14:39

How about To Kill A Mockingbird?

For non-fiction, Politics and the English Language would be a good read and might even help indirectly with English Language GCSE.

Original poster
hotcrossapple · 26/07/2018 14:31

interesting suggestions - I've gone for BNW (agree it is wonderful), Lord of the Flies and 1984 but Wyndham looks interesting and I hadn't heard of him, thanks

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GuestWW · 26/07/2018 14:09

So my dates are wrong - John Wyndham is slightly more modern, sorry!

GuestWW · 26/07/2018 14:08

Brave New World is the best book I have ever read! I also think if you are looking at dystopia and similar time period of writing then try some John Wyndham, in particular Trouble with Lichen.

Going slightly more modern perhaps A Clockwork Orange and Farenheit 451.