Except it was literally played out. The real life version, all the kids were fine, and no one died.
Which means the real lesson is when you get rid of government, everything gets better.
The novel insists that humanity is only good because of government and societal constraints. As we've seen in the last two years, those constraints only make things worse, and encourage our lesser instincts.
This sums it up perfectly. If it isn't fun, why the heck bother to read it? What can you learn from Animal Farm that can't be taught just as well by almost any Star Wars Expanded Universe novel? Give me campy romps or spine chilling horror or wondrous trips into the depths of space over that, any day. If I want to be depressed I'll turn on the news. I don't need a book to do that.
FYI, this is why I prefer Andre Norton to Isaac Asimov. They both may have dry styles of writing, but even at her most bleak, Andre's more fun to read than Asimov. Asimov's a chore to read, but Andre always takes you to fun places. ;)
I agree except Animal Farm is GREAT. It doesn’t say “human beings are evil,” it says “watch out for human beings who act like this!” In a far more entertaining way than a story about human rbeings who act like that. One can always argue about particular books or passages - I would argue some mentioned in the post— but the point is 100% correct. On the whole, modern “literature “ is based on false principles and profoundly depressing view of life. I love fun books, but “serious” books without false premises and that awful view of life are also great. It’s just very hard to find them…
I agree with your thoughts on superversive fiction, but I have read a lot of Stephen King and I don't think of him as having no sense of wonder or giving us works without any terrifying beauty. I find his works both entertaining and edifying.
Hey now, I liked Lord of the Flies!
Why? It reminded you of High school?
ROFL. ROFL. ROFL!!!!
It dove deep into the psychology of crowds and humanity.
Except it was literally played out. The real life version, all the kids were fine, and no one died.
Which means the real lesson is when you get rid of government, everything gets better.
The novel insists that humanity is only good because of government and societal constraints. As we've seen in the last two years, those constraints only make things worse, and encourage our lesser instincts.
This sums it up perfectly. If it isn't fun, why the heck bother to read it? What can you learn from Animal Farm that can't be taught just as well by almost any Star Wars Expanded Universe novel? Give me campy romps or spine chilling horror or wondrous trips into the depths of space over that, any day. If I want to be depressed I'll turn on the news. I don't need a book to do that.
FYI, this is why I prefer Andre Norton to Isaac Asimov. They both may have dry styles of writing, but even at her most bleak, Andre's more fun to read than Asimov. Asimov's a chore to read, but Andre always takes you to fun places. ;)
I agree except Animal Farm is GREAT. It doesn’t say “human beings are evil,” it says “watch out for human beings who act like this!” In a far more entertaining way than a story about human rbeings who act like that. One can always argue about particular books or passages - I would argue some mentioned in the post— but the point is 100% correct. On the whole, modern “literature “ is based on false principles and profoundly depressing view of life. I love fun books, but “serious” books without false premises and that awful view of life are also great. It’s just very hard to find them…
I notice Animal Farm isn't assign in high schools these days. Or colleges. Can't let the sheep know what's going on.
I agree with your thoughts on superversive fiction, but I have read a lot of Stephen King and I don't think of him as having no sense of wonder or giving us works without any terrifying beauty. I find his works both entertaining and edifying.